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MEMORIAL 



OF 



REV. T. H.. KENASTd. 



COMPILED BY 



REV. L. C. PATHIDGE, 



BY ORDER OF CHAMPLAIN CONFERENCE. 



" By the thorn-road, and none other, 
Is the mount of vision won." 



SYRACUSE, N. Y.: 

WESLEYAN METHODIST PUBLISHING HOUSE. 
A. CROOKS, AGENT. 

1874. 






19 II 7)1 

Jiff 4 Iff 



PKEFACE. 



Rev. T. H. Kenaston was known, loved, and honored 
too well and widely to need an introduction to those who 
will read these pages. The facilities for preparing this 
Memoir have been limited. An important portion of his 
Journal was accidentally destroyed before his death. 

If I have succeeded in embalming in this little book 
some true thoughts and acts of my very dear friend, which 
shall arrest the wandering, confirm the weak, cheer the 
sad, encourage the desponding, and glorify that divine Re- 
deemer by whose grace and blood alone he will shine in 
glory, my reward will be ample and abiding. 

His life motto was : — 

" CHRIST FIRST, LAST, ALWAYS." 

To the Wesleyan Methodist Connection which he loved 
and honored; to his children, of whom he was passion- 
ately fond; and especially to her whom he loved with a 
deep, pure, sacred devotion this humble tribute is gratefully 
dedicated. L. C. P. 



MEMORIAL 

O F 

REV. THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 



Thomas Harvey Kenaston was born in Shef- 
field, Caledonia county, Vermont, January 4th, 
A. D., 1838, and died in the same town August 
10th, A. D., 1872. 

He was the son of Jesse GL and Bachel T. (Har- 
vey) Kenaston. They were married in Woodbury, 
Vermont, September, 1829, but soon took up their 
residence in Sheffield, where they became the pa- 
rents of six children ; three sons and three daughters. 
The father, one son and one daughter only are left, 
while the rest have safely crossed to the " Better 
Land." The mother died a few months after the 
subject of this memoir. She was a woman of ex- 
cellent character. Her good qualities were many, 
and very highly appreciated by those who knew 
her best. She was a model Christian lady ; con- 
scientious, truthful and benevolent in the highest 
degree. Her Christian charity was prominent. 



6 MEMORIAL OF REV. 

Her few words were kind, thoughtful, unassuming 
and valuable. She not only enjoyed, but richly de- 
served the confidence and good will of all who 
knew her. Her death was a quiet slumber in the 
arms of Christ. She lived at peace with men, she 
died at peace with God. -Her end was tranquil as 
her life was calm. She was like a good book; 
read through, closed up, and laid away ; not to be 
forgotten, but to think of, treasure up, and prac- 
tice. The poet Landor says, 

" Children are what the mothers are; 
No fondest father's fondest care 
Can fashion so the infant's heart, 
As those creative beams that dart, 
With all their hopes and fears, upon 
The cradle of a sleeping son." 

Another has well said, 

" The mother in her office holds the key 

Of the soul ; and she it is who stamps the coin 

Of character, and makes the being, who would be a 

savage 
But for her gentle cares, a Christian man." 

A distinguished foreigner once said to John 
Quincy Adams, — "I have just learned who made 
you ; for I have been reading your ' mother's letters 
to her son.' " 

Mrs. Kenaston left the stamp of her character, 
faithfulfulness to principle ,love and faithful train- 
ing upon the heart and life of each of her children. 
Thomas Harvey inherited from his parents a min- 



THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 7 

gling of impulse and calmness; ot intense feel" 
ing and patient thought ; of manifest affection, and 
quiet reserved love; of skill to plan, and patience 
to execute ; of determination to do, and willing- 
ness to suffer. He could perform more than 
was expected. He knew more than he hasted to 
tell. He loved more ardently than he usually man- 
ifested. His attachments were measured, not so 
fully by the number of tender words, as by the no- 
ble deeds, the sacrifice and labor he was ever wil- 
ling to consecrate to the objects of his love. 

His early home lay in the lap of everlasting 
green, whose hills and mountain-peaks were clad in 
wide variety of forest trees ; where pine, spruce, ce- 
dar, and balsam shed healing odors on the brac- 
ing air ; where nature prodigal of her charms scat- 
tered rich beauties with a generous hand. Here is 
water in all its lovliness ; the placid lake, the rolling 
river, the tumbling cascade, the dancing brook, the 
purling streamlet, the springing fountain, sleep- 
ing in icy stillness, falling in fleecy whiteness, 
or in the "singing shower." How varied the 
scenery ; hills, plains, vales, meadows, slopes, crags, 
rocks. He early loved nature and became her 
studious pupil, drank at her fountains of knowl- 
edge, enjoyed her communion, and gathered strength 
from her embraces. Thus his frail constitution 
was fortified and energized for the labors of life. 

When a child he was passionately fond of sport, 



8 MEMORIAL OF REV. 

and this fun led him sometimes to annoy those 
about him, especially perhaps the hired help which 
were employed on the farm and in the house. His 
desire to investigate whatever came in his way was 
prominent, as sundry unlocked chests, drawers, and 
cupboards could bear witness. These characteris- 
tics never deserted him, though they were educated 
and properly directed in after-life. His mirthful- 
ness, love of innocent sport, and spirit of thorough 
investigation will be well remembered by his 
friends. 

The early part of his youth was spent at home, 
where his warm, generous heart, his unceasing ac- 
tivity, his fertile imagination, his tender sense of 
right, his intelligent and practical ideas rendered 
him a general favorite ; not only in the home circle 
but at school, the Sabbath-school, and among all 
the neighbors. 

Being the son of a farmer, he was accustomed to 
hard work in the fields, and understood the theory 
and practice of general, successful husbandry. 
Farming, however, was. not his chosen occupation. 
His aspirations were toward a commercial educa- 
tion and practice. He hoped to become a success- 
ful and wealthy merchant. 

When about seventeen years of age, the late 
Rev. Ira Hall was holding a series of meetings at 
Sheffield Square, when large numbers of young 
people became serious and gave their hearts to 



THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 9 

Christ and rejoiced in his love. He, though deep- 
ly convicted for a long time, resisted the influ- 
ence of the Divine Spirit, much to the surprise and 
regret of those who knew and loved him. But he 
found it hard to fight against God ; hard to resist 
the pleadings of his love, hard to turn away from 
those who were anxious for his salvation. Night 
after night he attended the meetings, interested in 
what others would do, but determined to do noth- 
ing himself. One night after getting ready to go, 
he said to a friend who was to accompany him, 
" I am sorry we harnessed the team, it is no use 
for me to attend meeting, I think I will put the 
horses back into the barn." But after some persua- 
sion he concluded to go. 

He entered the house, took a back seat, and 
looked on. But God's Spirit wrought mightily 
upon his heart, and near the close of the meeting 
he arose and made this emphatic declaration. "I 
have counted the cost, and I am resolved to be a 
Christian.'' He sat down. 

That night, yea that hour was the crisis of his 
life. He had heard the call of God, and respond- 
ed, "Not my will but Thine be done." None 
knew the meaning to him of that expression, — " the 
cost." It meant, I will give up all my selfish ideas, 
aspirations, and ambitions, my dreams of wealth, 
and home, and ease, of worldly honor, and personal 
independence, and at God's call I will enter a life 



10 MEMORIAL OP REV. 

of toil, a servant to others,, with no home on earth, 
no wealth — only in the Cross and ministry of Jesus 
Christ. But he counted the cost only,-— not the 
reward, thank God that cannot be counted ; and 
he was resolved to be a Christian. 

From that decision there was no turning back. 
T. H. Ken aston never turned back ! So clear, defi- 
nite and full were the evidences of his conversion 
that he never entertained a doubt upon the subject. 
He entered earnestly and joyfully into the exercises 
of religious worship and work ; and with all the 
warmth of pure Christian love he entreated his 
companions and friends to give their hearts to 
Christ. His most intimate associates testify to his 
unshrinking faithfulness in every duty which God 
laid before him. He was baptized and received 
into the Wesleyan Methodist Church, by brother 
Hall. His whole course and purpose of life were 
now changed ; his plans for study and labor were 
turned into another channel. 

The whole community seemed at once to recog- 
nize the fact that God had called him to be an am- 
bassador for Christ; and not only his own people 
but others, and especially ministers of other de- 
nominations took pleasure in giving him a public 
opportunity of exhorting the people to come to 
Christ. No man who feels in his soul that God 
has laid his hand upon him and set him -apart as a 
" chosen vessel for his service" can regard the voca- 



THOMAS HARVEY RENASTON. 11 

fcion as either trifling or optional ; nor will he feel 
like putting himself hastily forward in this holy 
and responsible calling. He spent days and nights 
in prayer, self-examination and consecration of 
himself to God's holy service. Conscientious, mod- 
est and retiring as he was, this was a subject of in- 
finite importance. He viewed it as both the grand- 
est and most difficult work ever entrusted to man. 
Grand in its relation to God ; its grasp of truth ; 
its revelation of an incarnate Deity ; its atonement 
for sin and salvation of penitent believers, and its 
fearful condemnation of the finally incorrigible; 
and difficult, as it exhibits mortal man grappling 
with immortal truth — a heavenly treasure in an 
earthen vessel ; man under a Divine obligation to 
beseech men in Christ's stead to be reconciled to 
God. If an inspired Apostle of great learning and 
experience, viewing this important office, was con- 
strained to ask, "Who is sufficient for these 
things?" what must have been the feelings of a 
bashful boy, when the holy responsibility was rest- 
ing on his soul ? Like the same Apostle he was 
able to feel " I can do all things through Christ 
which strengtheneth me." 

His preparatory academical course was begun 
at the Newbury Seminary in the year 1856 and 
continued in 1857. While there a circumstance 
occurred which excited his self-respect, his attach- 
ment to the Church and people of his choice, and 



12 MEMORIAL OF KEY. 

shows the boy a man. The Newbury School was 
established and sustained by the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, and at that time, when the anti-slavery 
contest was ripening for its harvest of liberty, it 
was quite common for those connected with the 
Seminary to refer to the Wesleyan Methodists in 
terms of derision and bitter contempt. 

Young Kenaston was no coward ; and though the 
odds were so much against him in numbers, he nev- 
er permitted a good opportunity to teach the truth 
upon this important subject, to pass unimproved. 
His testimony was plain, earnest, in a Christian 
spirit, and such as the verdict of history has fully 
sustained. When he became satisfied that to re- 
main there longer was to dishonor himself, and re- 
tard his intellectual and spiritual qualifications for 
the ministry, he quietly packed his trunks and left 
the school, to become a student of the Orleans In- 
stitute at Glover, Vt., and a boarder in the family 
of Rev. Dyar Willis, by whom he was very highly 
prized as an excellent young man, a growing 
Christian, and a fine scholar. The intimacy here 
began never waned, but increased in richness and 
strength to the time of his death. 

While in Glover, an effort was made to persuade 
him to change his plan, and enter the ministry in 
the Congregational Church, But though the in- 
ducement was somewhat flattering, and presented 
by a sincere friend, yet so firm and conscientious 



1H0MAS HARVEY KEN ASTON. 13 

were his attachments to the principles of the Wes- 
leyan Methodist Connection, that he politely, but 
positively rejected the proposal. 

His first effort to preach was made in Salem, Yt., 
accompanied by a young exhorter — Alva Gray. 
Both looked forward to long, useful lives in the 
cause of Christ. But alas both have fallen. Fal- 
lenein body, but promoted in spirit. Young Gray 
was cut down in an assault upon the rebel works 
before Petersbugh. 

After completing his course at Glover, brother 
Kenaston returned home for a few weeks. But 
upon consulting with Rev. John Croker, then pas- 
tor of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Sheffield, 
he decided to enter the Wesleyan Methodist Semi- 
nary at Leoni, Mich., under the Presidency of Rev. 
John McEldowney. This institution was then 
struggling to attain the status of a college. At the 
beginning of the Fall term of 1858, he began his 
collegiate course. His entire school-life after his 
conversion was characterized by an earnest activity 
in all the religious interests of the school. He of- 
ten took the lead of inquiry, class, and prayer- 
meetings, and he was an excellent leader ; sound- 
ing a key-note which would draw the whole 
company to a higher tone, and richer, deeper har- 
mony with the Spirit of the Master. He remained at 
Leoni until that Institution was removed to Adrian, 
Mich., and became Adrian College, While this re- 



14 MEMORIAL OP REV. 

moval was being completed and suitable buildings 
finished for the reception of the students, he with 
some others spent one term in the Methodist Epis- 
copal College at AlbioD, Michigan. There he 
formed the acquaintance of Miss Effie G-. Anderson, 
a student in the College, daughter of Col. John 
Anderson, of Parma, Mich. 

In Miss Anderson he realized his ideal of female 
excellence, and he became very much interested in 
her, and that interest increased as their acquaint- 
ance ripened, until he determined to do what Mrs. 
Browning so beautifully recommends. 

a Learn to win a lady's faith 
Nobly, as the thing is high ; 

Bravely, as for life and death — 
With loyal gravity. >7 

His feelings at this time are best expressed in his 
own words in a record made during his wife's visit 
to her maiden home, while he occupied a pastorate 
in Lisbon, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. 

" Saturday Eve, Oct. 20, 1866. 

It is a splendid evening. It makes me think 
of some evenings I spent in Albion, when my heart 
yearned so much to be with one absent to night, — 
when it longed for an opportunity to whisper in 
the ear of one who was only too worthy to hear it, 
that little word which has eased so many hearts, 
and been listened to so many times with pleasure, 
because it touched a similar feeling. Oh, how great 



THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 15 

would have been the satisfaction on some of those 
beautiful nights if I could have strolled away with 
her who was in my thoughts almost constantly 
night and day and told her all ! Well, time gave 
me the coveted privilege, though it was delayed. I 
feel to-night a little of the same desire to be in the 
presence of my absent one." 

It seems then, that while Greek, Latin, Philoso- 
phy and Mathematics were imparting strength and 
culture to his intellect, Cupid was busy expanding, 
enriching and ennobling his heart with love. 
Which of these influences is the most important we 
need not attempt to decide, as both are eminently 
necessary to the full development of the man, and 
each is largely dependent upon the other for its 
worth and beauty. Both should be sanctified by 
the Divine Spirit and consecrated to the glory of 
God. 

With the opening of the Winter term he re- 
moved to Adrian College, where he remained till 
the Summer of 1861, when his school-days closed? 
though not his education ; for he was a careful stu- 
dent to the end of life. While in Adrian he was 
honored by the presidency of a literary society, 
which he filled with satisfaction and credit. 

At the close of his College life he returned to 
Vermont. He was ordained by the Champlain 
Annual Conference, at West Chazy, N. Y., Sunday, 
May 12,1861. He immediately undertook the pas. 



16 MEMORIAL OP REV. 

toral work of the Sheffield Church, which he con- 
tinued for a year with acceptance and success. 

In the Fall he made a short visit to Michigan, the 
main object of which can be gathered from a notice 
which appeared in the Wesleyan soon after his re- 
turn. , 

" Married in Parma, Mich., Oct. 22, 1861, by Rev. S. 
Fassett, Rev. T. H. Kenaston of Sheffield, Vt., and Misa 
Effie Gr., daughter of Col. John Anderson, of Parma." 

In personal appearance he was tall and slight, 
graceful and dignified ; fine regular features ; clear, 
warm, keen eyes ; his countenance expressed frank- 
ness, gentleness, decision ; his firm rapid motion 
indicated an important present purpose j his voice, 
distinct, smooth and musical ; his manner earnest, 
thoughtful, impressive. 

As was said of a noble Englishman, " He ap- 
peared outwardly the express type of what he in- 
wardly was — a courageous Christian soldier, a 
fearless fighter of the good fight, a powerful leader, 
strong to command, to exhort and to encourage ; 
whose daily life was war to the death with every 
base and evil thing, and whose preaching was like 
a clarion call to duty, to devotedness, to all that 
was holy, lovely, noble, and of good report." 

In the Spring of 1862 he became pastor of 
the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Weybridge, 
Addison Co., Yt. Here he remained four years. 
As a minister of Christ he possessed many rare 



THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 17 

qualifications. Not only in his active earnestness 
and never flagging zeal, but in that intelligent ap- 
prehension of truth, and that happy manner of ex- 
pressing it which rendered his public ministrations 
always acceptable. His sermons were full of 
thought, and that thought having for its central 
point, its crowning attraction, Jesus Christ as the 
crucified Savior of lost men. He made every one 
believe that he was in earnest for their salvation. 
He realized intensely the richness of the truth as it 
is in Jesus ; and the blessed fullness of that life of 
Christ which may be enjoyed in every Christian 
soul. He felt that he had a message from God, 
and he was anxious to deliver it to the people. 
He knew that true ministerial success consisted 
not in popular applause, in large salaries, or in 
smiling congregations; but in the changed heart 
and the new life of those who heard his words. 
He left no means untried, he let no opportuni- 
ties pass for overcoming stubborn hearts, and 
winning them to the love and faith of Christ. 
He was gentle and kind as a woman ; but as in- 
flexibly determined and courageous as a lion. He 
was willing, yea, anxious to work earnestly and ex- 
haustively to accomplish the great results of his 
mission. 

The 22nd of October, 1863- — the second anniver- 
sary of their marriage — was made very sad to them 
by death. Miss Jennie Anderson, a younger sister 



18 MEMORIAL OP REV. 

of Mrs. Kenaston, a beautiful and amiable young 
lady, had come from her Western home to stay a 
time with her sister. She had won many friends 
in Wey bridge, and was hoping for many bright 
years, when suddenly she was taken sick, and after 
a short but very painful illness she escaped the ter- 
rible sufferings of earth for the glorious joys of 
heaven. Concerning this brother Kenaston wrote : 

" I shall never forget this — her fearful suffering, 
and her triumph. How blessed to die feeling saved, 
saved by Jesus. How blessed too to live saved — 
saved every day and all the while. This is the sal- 
vation we want ; nothing else should satisfy us." 

Her death made a deep impression, not only up- 
on brother and sister Kenaston, who felt it so keen- 
ly, but upon the kind friends who did all that 
human love could prompt, and then witnessed her 
death which was at last as serene and lovely as 
her brief illness had been disturbed and agonizing. 

While in Weybridge they became the parents of 
two children, a daughter and a son. As these 
cares multiplied the parents' hearts were enriched 
and strengthened for every good and noble under- 
taking. 

In the Spring of 1864, a fearful sickness broke 
out in Weybridge by which fourteen persons, some 
the most healthy in town, died in a very short 
time. Brother Kenaston was deeply impressed 
with the importance of his work in trying to win 



THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 19 

men to Christ. He labored more earnestly than 
ever before to persuade men to live prepared for 
death and eternity. I remember very well how 
the subject seemed to fill his whole mind at the 
Conference, held just after these deaths in Wey- 
bridge. That Spring the Conference was held in 
Lisbon, N. Y., and he had been elected to preach 
the opening sermon which he did on Wednesday, 
April 27, 1864, at 10 o'clock, from 2 Cor. ii : 16. 
" And who is sufficient for these things ?" The ser- 
mon was carefully prepared, written out in full dur- 
ing those fearful days and nights when funerals 
were nearly every day and death every night. He 
delivered it without the manuscript, having commit- 
ted it to memory. It was, I believe, one of the 
ablest and most spiritual sermons I ever heard in 
our Conference. His own soul was deeply inter- 
ested in the theme, and he made every minister 
present feel that it was a solemn thing to preach 
the truth of God to men ; that they must be in- 
spired with the love of God to do it successfully. 
Cawdray says : " As one candle cannot light anoth- 
er unless itself be lighted, no more can a minister 
inflame others with the love of God if he be void 
of it." 

His ministry in Weybridge was attended with 
good ; many found Christ through his labors and 
instruction, and he left many warm and earnest 
friends when in the Spring of 1866, he moved to 
Lisbon, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. 



20 MEMORIAL OF REV. 

The principal reason for his removal from Wey- 
bridge to Lisbon, as he told me, was, that he might 
have a broader field of labor. How few men there 
are in this age of the world who are searching for 
more duties and weariness in the cause of Christ. 
But his eye of faith saw not so much the pain and 
warfare, as the glorious rest and victory which lay 
just beyond, and shed mellow rays of golden light 
over all his years of toil. There are few men of so 
frail constitution who have worked as hard and as 
constantly as he. 

His heart was so large, and his zeal so ardent, 
that he was ready to undertake all the work he 
could perform. One element in his character, and 
contributing largely to his ministerial success, was 
his deep spirituality. He lived and labored as one 
who had a rich experience in the things of God ; 
one who enjoyed day by day a foretaste of that 
heaven which he offered to others. And without 
this, all other qualifications must be in vain. Pro- 
found learning, brilliant intellect, polished manners, 
eloquent delivery, popular applause altogether 
cannot make amends for a want of earnest piety 
and intimate and continued communion with God. 
He realized that all the lustre of Christian charac- 
ter ; all the beauty of a holy life ; all the power for 
Christian usefulness is but the reflection of the glory 
of that Savior who dwells in the hearts of his ser- 
vants. His study of the Word of God was not to 



THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 21 

build up any favorite theory, or to find weapons 
for carnal combat j but to find the deepest, purest 
springs of Divine truth, and not only drink thereof 
himself, but to be able to lead other thirsting souls 
to the same fountain. 

He remained in Lisbon four years, doing noble 
service for the Master in every department of Chris- 
tian usefulness. The labor and exposure of this 
circuit was more than his slender frame and deli- 
cate constitution could endure. He held long se- 
ries of evening meetings several miles from home, 
and was obliged to return to his family through the 
cold winds and deep snows after the exhaustive 
labors of the evening. It would be hardly pos- 
sible to escape colds and coughs and weak lungs 
under such circumstances. He resisted the en- 
croachments of disease long and nobly, but at last 
his cheerful, hopeful, determined mind yielded to 
the stubborn fact that his health was seriously im- 
paired. 

While in Lisbon he was offered a good position 
and salary in the ministry of the Congregational 
Church, but deemed it his duty and privilege to 
continue the conflict for truth in what he considered 
to be the "advance guard of the Lord.'s grand 
army." 

He was a member of the Union Convention at 
Cleveland, June 21st, 1865, and was the only man 
of one hundred and fifty who voted not for the 



22 MEMORIAL OP REV. 

Union. The unhappy results of this movement 
prove that he was wiser than his associates. 

He was Secretary of the Champlain Conference 
four years, and would have been chosen President 
then had he not removed to Syracuse. He attended 
three General Conferences; at Fulton, N. Y., 
Cleveland, 0., and Syracuse, N. Y., though he was 
a delegate only at Cleveland. 

Brother Kenaston was in its high and true sense 
a Christian Refoimer. He was clear in his views 
and bold in his defense of truth. What he knew 
to be right he shrunk not from maintaining. He 
was, however, careful and thorough in his examina- 
tion of principles and practices ; therefore when he 
reached a conclusion, he was able to give a reason 
for it which was sound and defensible ; and if he 
did not always convince his opposers, he at least 
compelled them to acknowledge that he was an in- 
telligent and consistent opponent. He was a pro- 
gressive reformer, dwelling- not upon the dead 
issues of the past, but pushing vigorously to the 
front rank of the grand army of to-day. He frank- 
ly and successfully met the advocates of the domi- 
nant systems of evil, whether in the boldness and 
impudence of open daylight, or in the shrinking 
cowardice of secret darkness. He was able — un- 
like Diogenes — to find a man at mid-day without a 
lantern ; but he was suspicious of those who needed 
curtained mid-night to prove their manhood. Yet 



THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 23 

he was no Cynic, or misanthrope, searching only 
for faults and excrescences in his fellow-men. He 
was a lover of mankind, and sought by correct 
teaching, friendly association, and a consistent life 
to do them good. He was more than a spectator in 
the great conflicts of the present age. His sword 
was unsheathed and bright and keen from exercise 
and care. He believed that truth like the golden 
sun would at last break through the darkness and 
clouds of error's night, and shine over all the hills 
and plains ; and his ambition was to stand and work 
where the first glintings of its glory would beautify 
his soul ; not merely for his own good, but for the 
better service and higher glory of the Master. He 
was willing to bear the present pain of truth's 
thorny crown, knowing that in the end each thorn 
would be changed to a gem of diamond-worth and 
radiance. Ah ! the cowards will be sorry then that 
they refused truth's strange regality. Though he 
courted not the reformer's unjust censure, yet he 
expected it all, and was prepared to meet it. The 
storms beat upon him in vain ; for he had chosen 
his position, and approved by his conscience and 
his God he was as firm as a Spartan hero. 

" Where'er he went 
This lesson still he taught, to fear no ill 
But sin ; — no being but Almighty God." 

None who knew him say he was ambitious for 
the honors of the world. If God was glorified, 



24 MEMORIAL OP REV. 

truth victorious and men were saved, he "was satis- 
fied. And may I not add that he loved truth just as 
truly when she was bleeding from the dagger- wounds 
of her enemies, as when crowned with the laurel- 
wreath of victory. Like Diogenes he could not be 
beaten from the door where truth was taught and 
worshiped. He never allowed that false notion — 
that ministers are exempt from political responsi- 
bility — to deter him from the true and ennobling 
duties of an American freeman. He realized that 
he was a man, as well as a minister, and was as 
accountable for his manhood as for his ministry. 
He felt a deep interest in every effort to secure just 
laws and good and wise rulers. 

His earnest, conscientious, intelligent opposition 
to all secret societies began in early life and con- 
tinued to his death. He was a member of three 
National Conventions of Christians opposed to 
Secret Societies held in Pittsburgh, Penn., .Chi- 
cago, 111., and Worcester, Mass., besides numerous 
conventions and meetings of a less extended char- 
acter, in all of which he was ever honored and ap- 
preciated as a prudent and wise counselor, an earn- 
est advocate — prompt, modest and capable. 

The following from his pen explains his position 
and expectations upon the question of Secretism, 
and the organized opposition to it on the part of 
Christian men. 

" In this movement I think I see the life and salvation of 
the Church; the Church which has to an alarming extent 



THOMAS HARVEY KEN ASTON. 25 

been in the wilderness of combined and organized secrecy. 
My soul rejoices — yea greatly rejoices in this up-rising of a 
few of God's elect to meet the enemies of our Christ— those 
who have taken away our Lord and tell us of another way 
to heaven. 7 my Father, lead them out of their darkness ; 
expose their corruption ; bring all their wicked counsels 
to naught ! Christ, let not Thine enemies prevail against 
Thee, nor Thy blood-bought Church! Help Thy professed 
people to see to it that they build upon The©!' 

"We should never array ourselves against any cause be- 
cause it is unpopular — nor on the side of any cause because 
it is popular. We should be cautious about that which is 
generally received. Truth generally has but few friends. 
We should seek to know what is true and what is false, and 
always be on the side of truth. If we oppose we should 
know why. If we favor we should be able to give a good 
reason for that favor. 'Prove all things.' There is much 
blind favor, and much ignorant opposition. Every cause 
and truth which are a part of Christianity can not be over- 
thrown, while all error must come to naught. Truth and 
right are immortal. Error and wrong are perishable. 
Light will triumph over darkness, and truth over error. 
Many a cause has thought itself strong when it was just 
ready to be brought to naught. As regards myself I have 
reached this point in my faith. Tell me what is right and 
I will tell you what will triumph. Secretism is one of the 
great agencies^elied on by many at the present time for re- 
forming and saving men. But this is only one of the 
lingering forms or branches of the ' Age of Reason,' and 
will as surely give way to the Divine plan of saving men 
by light, as that Christianity succeeds. I regard these ef- 
forts to save men by this means as simply and purely, Be- 
lial against Christ. It will fail and Christ will triumph." 

In the Spring of 1867 he was urged to unite with 
2 



26 MEMORIAL OF REV. 

the Methodist Episcopal Church, as slavery was no 
longer in the way. He replied : — " I believe that 
Masonry will produce as severe a conflict as sla- 
very. No !— the Wesleyan Methodist Connection is 
a moral necessity ; and it would be sinful and offen- 
sive in the sight of God to leave a pure Church and 
enter one in " fellowship with the unfruitful works 
of darkness/' He was told he could fight Masonry 
just as well inside of that Church. He replied: — 
" Depend upon it ; to oppose Masonry or any evil 
that has a foot-hold in that Church, will brand you 
as one causing division ; a disturber of the peace of 
the Church. Besides, I consider the government 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church despotic, and in 
direct opposition to the commands of the Son of 
God as recorded in Matt, xx : 25, 26. He was told 
that if the Wesleyans went as a body he would 
have to go with them or stand alone. His reply 
was, " 1 do not anticipate such an issue. I have 
confidence in our people, and in the principles we 
have embraced ; but if what you predict should oc- 
cur, I could not with my present views enter the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. I should much pre- 
fer a home among the Free Baptists or Congrega- 
tionalists. A Church which discards the rights oi 
the laity can never have my sanction or support.' 7 
Brother Kenaston was an earnest, consistent, 
persevering advocate of total abstinence from all 
intoxicating beverages. He not only lectured and 



THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 27 

preached on the subject repeatedly, but he was 
foremost and constant in his effort to search out 
and bring to deserved punishment the illicit dealer 
in the deadly poison. His views upon this reform 
may be understood from the following extracts, 

" With this as with all other important subjects 
we must have agitation — «<Line upon line.' This 
agitation is necessary, not only for the enlightening 
and awakening of those who are not the professed 
friends of temperance, but to keep a healthy oppo- 
sition and due interest in the cause in our own 
hearts and lives. It seems to be a law of our be- 
ing, to become more or less indifferent to any sub- 
ject when we cease to agitate or be active in it. 
We must ever be talking temperance, praying tem- 
perance, and acting temperance. Commence with 
the children ; teach them to hate strong drink — yes 
hate it. The responsibility is with the people j we 
must care enough for temperance to carry our 
principles to the polls. When we take into con- 
sideration the terrible work of ruin which is con- 
stantly going on, caused by rum ; when we think of 
the ten thousand hearth-stones where the fire of 
love and true devotion has gone out ; of the rivers 
of tears flowing from the cheeks of drunkards' 
wives ; and hear the thundering volume of wailings 
coming from hundreds of thousands ol orphans; 
when we look into our poor-houses, our jails, our 
States prisons, and see the sadness and gloom of 



28 MEMORIAL OF REV. 

these, and reflect that nearly all of this is caused 
by strong drink, can we be inactive and indifferent : 
can we refuse to agitate ?" 
He believed with Whittier. 

" There's life alone in duty done, 
And rest alone in striving." 

At another time he said : — " The Church of to- 
day has all the machinery necessary for pulling 
down the strongholds of sin, and bringing the world 
to Christ ; but she needs more of the baptism of fire ; 
more of the power of the Holy Ghost, Without it 
we are like an engine with boiler, furnace, wheels, 
cogs, pistons, rods, levers, water, and everything in 
perfect condition, but no fire. The spirit is the fire 
which puts every energy of body, and faculty of 
mind and soul in motion. Of what value is the 
most beautiful compass, unless the needle has re- 
ceived the electric shock ? A Chinese convert once 
remarked- to a missionary : ' We want men with hot 
hearts to tell us of the love of Christ.' We need 
men of solid principles, and we are responsible for 
the principles we countenance and endorse. There 
must be no covering up of principle ; and so long as 
there are wrongs in civil law, or practiced in civil 
government we must not hold our peace or rest ; so 
long as there is wrong in principle, or practice in 
the Church, we must cry out against it. The cry 
of Satan is < Let us alone.' Sin greatly fears the 
Isaiahs who l will not hold their peace.' ' First pure 



THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 29 

then peaceable.' We must insist on justice for all 
everywhere, and we must not stop with justice but 
reach on to salvation." 

# # # # # •» # 

" Life is not all privilege ; stern duty often, yea, 
constantly in our pathway. A divided life destroys 
confidence in us and oftentimes in the cause we ad- 
vocate. It is a poor way to recommend a thing, to 
cling to it only half the time. ' If a thing is good, 
cling to it,' says the world ; a divided life is fatal to 
soul interests. Jesus taught that no man can serve 
two masters. Indecision is constant restlessness." 

" The conflict and the strife will be over in a lit- 
tle while ; and then, oh-— then we will resign our 
charge to God, with the souls we have won, and 
amid the joys of heaven and the songs of the 
redeemed sit down around the throne to enjoy its 

glories forever !" 

# #• * * * # # 

" Judge not Christianity even by its most perfect 
embodiment in the life of its disciples here. The 
best are imperfect ; Christianity itself teaches this. 
Do not judge the work of that organ-builder by the 
half finished instrument in his shop. There is lit- 
tle in it to please the eye or charm the ear. Judge 
not the art of the painter by the rough outline in 
his studio. There is scarcely a touch of life in it. 
You must see the picture when it is finished, as it 



30 MEMORIAL OF REV. 

almost warms into life, and blushes with loveliness. 
You must hear the organ in the great cathedral as 
by the touch of the master, it pours forth its richest 
strains of sweetest music which electrify the con- 
gregated thousands." 

Brother Kenaston was an honest man in all po- 
sitions in life. In the language of his widow, 
" Religion to him was a principle, regulating and 
controlling every thing. His private life was char- 
acterized by the same devotion to principle and 
duty that his public was." 

He never gauged his selection of subjects or his 
mode of explaining them by the menial question, 
" What will please the people or increase my sala- 
ry ?" The great question with him was, What is 
God's truth to this people to-day ? This settled, 
and he was prepared to move right forward in pre- 
senting that truth. He felt within his soul that he 
was the Lord's. This conviction, deeply fixed in 
his mind, became the master spirit of his life and 
excluded every unholy purpose or common ambi- 
tion. A noble Christian gentleman, of this State, 
whom I met on my way to his funeral, said to me, 
" I never was better acquainted with any minister 
than with Mr. Kenaston, and I never knew a man 
who seemed more strictly conscientious." My own 
opinion, formed upon thirteen years of intimate 
personal fellowship, is that he would not turn to the 



THOMAS HARVEY KEN ASTON. 31 

right or left from the known path of duty for his 
life. 

In the language of Cowper, I can say : — 

u I venerate the man whose heart is warm, 

Whose hands are pure, whose doctrine and whose life 

Coincident, exhibit proof 

That he is honest in the sacred cause. 

To such I render more than mere respect, 

Whose actions say that they respect themselves." 

His own words were, — " Oh, that we were more 
faithful in preaching Christ ! Men love earnest 
preaching; they need earnest preaching, and the 
times demand that we preach Christ faithfully, in 
his offices, in his relations, and especially in his in- 
finite sacrifice and meritorious death. Emphatic- 
ally the age demands plain, practical, instructive, 
earnest preaching; and we must preach the en- 
couraging truth of God. The Bible is full of prom- 
ises; they must be faithfully presented; all man's 
necessity is met and embraced in them. Truth is 
the great, vitalizing principle of Christianity. God 
only saves men by the truth. We must not attempt 
to save men with half the truth." 

In the Spring of 1870 he became pastor of the 
Wesleyan Methodist Church in Syracuse, N. Y. It 
was with reluctance that he consented to go ; and it 
was with great reluctance that the Champlain Con- 
ference sanctioned his removal. He went because 
he felt it his duty to go. He said to me at the 
Conference that Spring, "Some one from our Con- 



W4 MEMORIAL OF RET. 

ference must fill that unsupplied pulpit, I am not 
particular who it shall be. If Brother Foster or 
either of two others whom he named will consent to 
go, I will gladly remain where I am." After he 
had decided to go I said to him, "It will be hard 
for you." He replied, "[I know it. I go not for ease, 
but for labor." When he had been in Syracuse 
three months he wrote me : " I came here dreading 
the work as I never did a year's labor before. I 
knew they had had some ministers of our first tal- 
ent here, and I feared I should not succeed } but I 
am a little more hopeful now. I shall do the best 
I can. I do not know as I have been really sorry 
we came here, though I regretted to leave the Con- 
ference bounds." 

His pastoral connection with this Church contin- 
ued till his death ; though for several months he was 
unable to preach. During this period he was gen- 
erously and ably assisted by Rev. A. S. Wightman, 
who felt that Christian kindness demanded this 
willing service for a dear afflicted brother. In 
addition to the regular pastoral work, Brother 
Kenaston assumed the editorial charge of the 
" American Wesley an " and " Children's Banner, n 
while Brother Crooks was absent, as Agent, in atten- 
dance upon the Fall and Spring Conferences. 

This was too great a burden upon his delicate 
constitution. 

" Yet faithful still in his daily round 

To the weak and poor, and sin-sick found.** 



THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 33 

He remitted none of his usual labor and per- 
formed the extra with commendable skill and abili- 
ty. His editorials were timely, popular, spiritual 
and racy. He generally underrated his own pow- 
ers. This, with his unassuming modesty and anxi- 
ety to improve, led him to welcome any suggestion 
or correction upon his public work. While he was 
" sub-editor" he wrote me, "Please act as critic and 
send on corrections. I love to be corrected when 
wrong, especially if done in love." 

His duties at Syracuse required the energy and 
strength of perfect health, and as he had not these 
to command, he could not perform the labor with- 
out a constant decline. The first of his lung-bleed- 
ing took place late in the Fall of 1870, alter several 
weeks extra labor as "'sub-editor," followed by an 
Anti- secret Convention, which cost him some anxi- 
ety and work. At the close of the Convention he 
made a trip to Sheffield, Yt., where his wife and 
family were visiting his friends. On his way he 
lectured in Lisbon, on Temperance, and while there 
had a spell of bleeding at the lungs. 

An account of this journey was furnished by 
Brother Kenaston for the American Wesleyan, and is 
as follows : 

"Sabbath evening, Nov. 21st, at 8: 15, after hav- 
ing had the privilege of hearing an excellent ser- 
mon from Brother John Levington, of the Detroit 
Methodist Episcopal Conference, who preached for 



M MEMORIAL OP REV . 

trie in the morning, I left the goodly l dity ol OofL' 
VentiOns'— SyracUse^for a visit to my father's in 
north-eastern Vermont. 

" Starting Sabbath evening Was necessitated by & 
previous engagement to lecture on Temperance at 
Lisbon, Monday evening^ on the train, fell in with 
a Baptist clergyman, gave him some anti-masonic 
tracts, and sold him ' Finney on Masonry.' It 
looks nest to impossible to me for a good man to 
read that book without being convinced of the ini* 
quity Of Masonry. Also distributed a few more 
tracts. One gentleman afW reading his, seemed 
interested about the matter, and inquired about the 
Christian Cynosurt, Which he saW advertised on one 
of the tracts. A neW subscriber may be added to 
the Cynosiirt list by this little efforts 'As ye go> 
preach.' 

"Arrived at Ogdensburgh about 12 M., and at 
Lisbon a little before 2 P. M. The next train Would 
have been too late for the promised lecture* Here 
four years of hard labor Were spent among a kind 
and appreciative people. Many are here who are 
very dear to nie-^rendered so by many acts of 
kindness deceived, and by laboring together in the 
Vineyard of the Master. May God bless them all 
and bring them to heaven at last 

" In the evening lectured on Temperance at the 
Church, according to previous engagement. Though 
the traveling Was rough, the night dark and cold, 



THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 35 

and the church in a country place, yet there was a 
full house. It was really .gratifying to look upon 
so many familiar faces, and I felt that I shook hands 
with them all in my heart as I arose to speak. It 
really seemed like home. The full house was to me 
as good a welcome into that pulpit where I had so 
many times tried to preach the word of life, as I 
desired. 

" At the close of the lecture the speaker said to 
the audience that he had become a sort of a book- 
peddler, and could furnish them with ' Finney on 
Masonry,' ' Broken Seal,' or ' Masonic Conspiracy;' 
also had some 'Rathbun Outrage' tracts for sale, 
and other tracts for gratuitous distribution. Brother 
Foster, the present pastor of the Church, consented 
to act as the speaker's agent for the time, and he 
had the great pleasure of spending a short time in 
friendly greetings. That Brother Foster has a 
warm place in the hearts of his people, hardly need 
be said. It certainly need not be to the brethren 
of the Champlain Conference. He has labored on 
this Charge several years before. His congrega- 
tions are large, and I trust the Lord will crown his 
labors with abundant success, ere this Conference 
year shall close. 

il After meeting, found a home for the night, with 
Brother John Martin. Was very sorry to find 
Brother Aiken so poorly. Tuesday morning, hav- 
ing taken cold the previous evening, for the first 



36 MEMORIAL OP KEV. 

time in my life raised considerable blood. Whether 
this was from the throat or lungs, do not know. 

" Tuesday forenoon, went to Brother Dawley's to 
see about my horse which he had been keeping 
for me during my stay in Syracuse, calling on my 
way out and return on brethren Norway, William 
and George Boice, Robison, Clements, Robinson, 
and Spafford. Took dinner at Brother Dawley's, 
after which made an attempt to pay him for keep- 
ing my horse six months, when I was met with 
this — shall I say strange rebuff — ' I shall not take 
anything,' assigning this as a reason, <I will not 
take pay from one of the Lord's servants, espe- 
cially from one as faithful as I believe you to be.' 
Pardon me, reader, for giving his language. I wish 
to show that his idea was that he was giving to the 
Lord. Of course this very generous donation was 
very gratefully received, though the recipient did 
not feel that he had the least claim in this direction ; 
for Brother Dawley was one of his most liberal sup- 
porters while on that Charge, especially after he 
became a member of the Church, But this was but 
a sample of his generosity. The Lord reward him 
for thus remembering one, needy enough, and at 
the same time, but too unworthy. The expression 
of regard, as manifested in his action and language, 
was worth more to me than the financial gain. 

"At 7 o'clock in the evening, continued my jour- 
ney, and arrived at my father's Wednesday eve- 



THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 6 i 

ning about 9 o'clock, feeling very poorly indeed; 
physically. Found my parents and family connec- 
tions usually well. Also Mrs, K. and three of the 
children here, gave me a hearty welcome. They 
had been absent from home about eight weeks, and 
here some six. One of our little boys I brought 
with me. Thanksgiving was spent with a broth- 
er-in-law, Mr. Ferguson, where the whole family 
group were gathered. This was the first time the 
entire family had been together for nine years on 
such occasion. It was very pleasant indeed ; but 
all were not there who were with us nine years ago. 
Two dear sisters have since passed over the river ; 
sister Louisa, wife of Brother Ferguson, and sister 
Emma, the youngest daughter. But we live in the 
belief that they sleep in Jesus, and so would not 
call them back. 

On Sabbath attended service at the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. Was not able to preach, though 
urged to do so. The main difficulty to preaching- 
was a hacking cough, which troubled me as soon 
as I began to speak. This Church was formerly 
Wesleyan Methodist, but at the time of the Union 
movement, the main strength of it concluded to 
become a Methodist Episcopal Church, snd so hav- 
ing the power, took the Church edifice with them. 
Over this action many mourned deeply; and with 
them the writer, as it was the first Church over 
which he had pastoral care, and included most of 



38 MEMORIAL OP REV. 

his father's family. It was the only Church, how- 
ever, which has effected much by that movement, 
within the bounds of the Ghamplain Conference. 
And, even here, it ought to be said, only a part 
seceded, and there is still a Wesleyan Methodist 
Church in town, having a pastor, and preaching 
mice in two weeks, as often as any of the Churches 
have it. Could the end have been seen from the 
beginning, it is very dovbtfni if there would have 
been a Methodist Episcopal Church here unto this 
day. I will forbear expressing further my feelings 
upon this, to me, not very pleasant theme. 

"Tuesday A. M., at 9 o'clock, united in marriage 
T. R. Stiles, M. D., and Miss Abbie A. Jenness, at 
the bride's father's, Mr. George Jenness. Miss 
J. was the eldest daughter of my eldest sister, and 
by her marriage I am forcibly reminded of the ra- 
pidity with which time is passing. It seems to me 
but a little time since the bride of this morning 
was the babe in the cradle 5 and yet my age has 
more than doubled since them May every reader 
©f the Weskyan realize, 

*•* How swift the torrent rolls 
That bears o'*ar lives away, 77 

and finally be prepared for the marriage supper of 
the Lamb 

T. H. K. 

Sheffield, Ft., Nw. 2M ? 187-0." 



TfiOMAS fiAUVEt SEN ASTON* S9 

Again in the Fall of 1871 his editorial labor 
Was followed by the General Conference in Syra* 
cuse. He had much care in providing for its en* 
tertainment, and by vote of that body acted as its 
official reporter, This period of extra labor was 
followed by a severe and protracted sickness, from 
which, in reality, he never recovered j though he 
rallied somewhat in the Winter. The condition of 
his health, as well as the deep, general interest felt 
In his welfare may be understood from the follow* 
ing notices in the Wesleyan at this time. 

Jan. 10, 1872.— "Rev. T. H. Kenaston was on 
Sabbath last) dressed for the first time since his 
illness. He was permitted again) though weak 
and emaciated, to sit with his little family at the 
table, and all blessed the Lord again for his tender 
mercy." 

Jan. 17.-^-" Rev. T. H, Itenaston, pastor of the 
Wesleyan Church in this city) is able to walk 
around, and has been in the open air within a few 
days. We do thank God ; since we had so little 
hope that his valuable life would be spared us, and 
the world." 

Jam 31.-«-"Rev, T. H. Kenaston has so far re- 
covered as to be able to attend meeting, and to a 
limited extent participate in the services Sabbath 
morning. Hopes are now entertained, that with 
Suitable care, he will soon be blessed with accus- 
tomed health. The Lord be praised." 



40 MEMORIAL OP REV. 

I visited him February 7th, and found him feeble; 
but full of hope, cheerfulness and determination. 

u He put on 
Courage, and faith, and generous constancy 
E'en as a breastplate." 

He accompanied Brother Stratton and myself to 
Prattville, February 9th, and spent the Sabbath, 
attending the morning service. We returned on 
Monday the 12th, and he felt no worse for the trip, 
which we all agreed was very pleasant indeed, and 
rich in Christian and Divine fellowship. I parted 
with him at his door at midnight of the 13th, which 
was the last time I ever saw him alive. Much as I 
longed for his recovery, I confess my fears were 
stronger than my hopes. His own feelings at this 
time can be best expressed in the words of his 
Journal : — 

"Februarjr, 1872. — Upon a sick bed still. The 
physicians say, that my recovery is distant; that 
I can not labor any more this Winter. This 
is a matter of serious import. Doctor-bills, extra 
help, a dependent family; all this outwardly 
viewed causes my prospects to look dark in- 
deed. But I have looked the matter over, thought 
of the promises, said to myself. ' This is my in- 
firmity ; but I will remember the years of the right 
hand of the Most High.' Psa. lxxvii : 10. I thought 
that God, who could divide seas, bring water out 
of the rock, shake down walls, and all for the 



THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 41 

care of his people, could care for me, meet my 
wants in sickness as in health. Then I said, I will 
trust Him and all my interests to His care; and now 
to the praise of His grace I can say, I have but lit- 
tle trouble about myself or my temporal affairs. 
The days and months that I shall be sick are with 
the Lord, not only in reality but in my feelings." 

Brother Kenaston was a man of prayer. He 
went to God with every subject that troubled or 
pleased him, every private or public want, every 
joy and sorrow was carried to the bosom of the 
Great Father. He looked to God for the supply 
of temporal, as well as spiritual wants, and he re- 
fers to some special answers to prayer in this 
direction. 

u O the great privilege of prayer. It is adapted 
to all the infinite varieties of human capacities, 
necessities and circumstances. No capacity is too 
great to be benefited by it, all our real necessities 
met, perhaps not just as we desire, but as God sees 
for our good, and all circumstances are sanctified 
by it if in the path of obedience. It is the tent in 
which frailty sleeps secure." 

His spirit was eminently kind, patient, tender. 

He says, "I mourn over the want among many 
professed Christians, of* that charity which "endur- 
eth all things j hopeth all things." Wrangling in a 
Church will always drive away a revival spirit. 
1 God is love j and he that dwelleth in love dwell- 



42 MEMORIAL OP REV. 

eth in God, and God in him.' Words of condem- 
nation and censure must not be cheap." 
In the words of Cowper he was, 

"Affectionate in look, 
And tender in address, as well becomes 
A messenger of grace to guilty men." 

As February gave place to March, his friends 
strengthened their hopes and the Wesleyan spoke 
as follows : — 

March 13. — " Rev. T. H. Kenaston has occupied 
his pulpit two Sabbath mornings with great accept- 
ance, and considerable ease to himself." 

March 20. — " Rev. T. H. Kenaston is still recov- 
ering, occupies his pulpit, and has been invited to 
serve the Church a third year." 

Their hopes contained more of desire than ex- 
pectation; and as March melted into April he grew 
worse, and the Wesleyan contained these notices. 

April 3d. — "Rev. T. H. Kenaston, pastor of Sy- 
racuse Church is still in impaired health, but is he- 
roically struggling against disease, and the demands 
of an extensive pastorate. He is now receiving treat- 
ment from the celebrated Dr. White, whose pre- 
scriptions, it is hoped, may prove beneficial. Let 
the Church everywhere, pray, for the recovery of this 
young minister of the gospel of Christ, whose prin- 
ciples and talents are especially demanded by the 
exigencies of the times. His Church is cheerfully 



THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 43 

and kindly paying him his salary, notwithstanding 
the expense of assistants. 

April 10th.— "Rev. T. H. Kenastonis still feeble, 
and thinks somewhat of leaving his charge a few 
weeks, that both mind and body may have rest, hop- 
ing thereby that more benefit may be derived from 
the course of medical treatment which he is now 
pursuing." 

April 8th he wrote me — : 

"I am not near as well as when you were here. 
My cough is very bad indeed, and my appetite has 
recently failed ; but I am not to preach any more 
at present ; shall go to my father's ; for, perhaps; 
six weeks ; I feel I must throw off all Church and 
home cares. I am trusting in warm weather, medi- 
cal skill, and the mercy of God for recovery. But 
may be my work is done. I have preached in the 
morning four times; do not know as it particu- 
larly hurt me, but am not so well now." 

March 29th and April 8th he had two severe 
hemorrhages which weakened him very much. 

He immediately removed to Sheffield, Vt., where 
everything that a healthy climate, medical skill, 
and deep, pure, earnest love could do, was gladly 
done for him, but without avail, only to increase 
his joy, diminish his sorrow, and smoothe his pas- 
sage to the tomb. 

His letter to the Champlain Conference — here- 
with published — and the following extract from his 



44 MEMORIAL OF REV. 

journal, plainly shows that he was cheerful and 
trusting. 

" Oh, the blessed hope of the Christian ! — It em- 
braces all that is necessary for the perfect satisfac- 
tion of all the desires and longings of the human 
mind, however much these may have been enlarged 
by religious experience and the operations of God's 
Spirit. 

" How precious it is to trust in Christ, to follow 
Him, nothing doubting. He briugs light out of 
darkness, and joy out of sorrow. He knows every 
pang that wrings our breasts and, in His measure, 
feels it too ; nor will He permit one needless drop 
to be added to our cup of sorrow. The great issues 
of life lie not all within this little island of time. 
We are living for eternity, and our Saviour invites 
us to launch out upon His almightiness and prepare 
our vision for the more precious revelation of what 
lies beyond." 

For nearly four long, weary, heated summer- 
months he pined, and suffered and wasted away in 
body, while his soul was growing richer, and fair- 
er, and stronger for the grand and glorious enjoy- 
ments of the better land. 

The Wesleyan of August 7, three days before 
his death, contained the following : — 

FROM REV. T. H. KES ASTON, 

It will interest our many readers to know of the 
present physical condition of our dear Brother Ken- 



THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 45 

aston,' and more so to read a few lines from his 
pencil as given below, though they were intended 
to be private. He says : — 

li Beloved Brother Stratton : — 
With my own hand I will try to pencil you 
a few lines. God bless you and all the dear ones 
in Syracuse. How I love you all. Shall I ever 
see you again ? Probably not on earth, but I hope 
to in heaven. Here I lie day after day and week 
after week. God only knows why it is. I have 
prayed for my discharge, if there were no more for 
me to do. But the discharge comes not, and I re- 
main without release. My sufferings are very 
severe. Not a day passes without them. So 
intense do they seem, frequently, that I have almost 
feared at times that my feet would slide. The cause 
of it at present seems to be the indigestion of my 
food, and the generation of gas in my stomach. 
Then too, my cough troubles me much — and. experi- 
ence great difficulty in " raising.'' It is usually 
after midnight before I have much rest, . and often 
one, two, three or four o'clock are reached before 
rest relieves me. This, Dear Brother, requires 
grace for one to bear, so weak as I am. My 
Father helps me keep on the Rock. 

11 1 suppose naturally enough that my brethren in 
Syracuse are praying less for my recovery, and 
more for my being sustained while I remain, and 



46 MEMORIAL OP REV. 

have a triumphant death. Let them remember the 
old saying— l while there is life there is hope.' 
I wish not to live after my work is done. . But 
when I look at my little family, I would like to 
live if it were my Father's will. Then, too, I feel 
that this is a glorious time to live and fight for 
God and truth. 

" I must close. Give my love to all. How I long 
to see all ! May Heaven bless the dear Church, 
and give them a year of prosperity. 
Your Brother in Christ 

T. H. Ken aston. 

Sheffield, Vt., My 29, 1872." 

[Note. — Bro. Kenaston is still remembered in 
the prayers of the Church, publicly and privately. 
And many have believed that God could and would 
raise him up. The use to which God can put 
such men is of the highest importance, and is in- 
creased by the fact that so few are willing to do 
and dare at the front in the moral battle. In the 
contest for all that is pure in morals, and dear 
in Christian ethics, Brother Kenaston has been 
always found at the post of duty. And now if he 
should be called away in his early prime it would 
be one of those unaccountable mysteries which ever 
on earth vail the Infinite's intent. But thanks be 
to the power and love of God ! His work can be 
done without any of us. Let us believe in and 
trust Him; and then, living or dying all will be 



THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 47 

Well. — May the Lord give his strength and spi- 
rit to our brother, and fit him for the great work 
of the present, and great glory of the future. — Ed.j 

In the next issue, Aug. 14, Bro. Stratton an- 
nounced his death in the following beautiful and 
touching manner: — - 

Thomas Harvey Kenaston. 

A faithful minister, devoted husband, affectionate 
father, pure patriot, consistent Christian, truth's 
firm friend, sin's open enemy, and a valiant leader 
in reform's embattled hosts has passed beyond the 
conflict of earth's voices, to where all is peace. 
His wife writes from Sheffield, Tt., Aug. 12th, as 
follows : 

" Monday Morning. 

Bear Brother Stratton : — My precious one 
has found rest at last. He was released from suf- 
fering at fifteen minutes before twelve, Saturday 
night, August 10th. His sufferings were terrible to 
the last. Oh, if 1 could forget them ! I am trying 
to lean upon Jesus, and I do feel that He strength- 
ens ; but oh, it is hard — and earth looks so dark ! 
Pray for me ! 

Services will be conducted by Brother Patridge, 
of Weybridge, Vermont, Brother Wardner, of 
West Chazy, N. Y., and Brother Pritty, of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church of this place, on Tues- 
day, one p. m. 

Yours in sorrow : 

Mrs. Kenaston." 



48 MEMORIAL OF REV. 

It was the close of the week, when the wheels 
stood still. The Sabbath of rest was at hand. 
The sable curtains of midnight wrapped the earth, 
and the stars stood around the midnight throne, as 
his soul 

" Passed through Glory's morning gate, 
And walked in Paradise." 

He rests from all care and all pain. His boon 
companions and brothers in arms hasten to his 
coffin's side to pay the dust of the departed its fune- 
ral rites, and to mingle their tears with the wife 
and four children so sorely bereft. 

Dear brethren in the ministry, as our ranks are be- 
ing thinned by the shafts of death, it takes another 
prop from beneath the load, and leaves the more for 
us to lift. Do we feel the burden as we should ? 
Then let us do our best, by overwork, to fill the 
vacancy. Closer order now! Move more cau. 
tiously, valiantly and vigorously ! The day is far 
spent; the night is at hand. As Brother Kenaston 
said in his last letter, and almost with his dying 
hand. " This is such a glorious time to live and 
work." Life's long week will soon be over with 
us all. Let us so work that rest will be sweet at 
home in the dear Sabbath land." 

Thus we see that he died the same hour of the 
day, the same day of the week, and nearly the same 
day of the year in which Rev. Orange Scott, of 
blessed memory, passed from the toils and pains of 
earth to the rest and joy and glory of heaven. 



THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 49 

Brother Kenas ton's last days were very trying 
to the frail body, and especially to the whole nerv- 
ous system. His last experience was more a 
season of safety and peace in trusting the infinite 
love of the Divine Father as seen through Jesus 
Christ, than of ecstacies of joyful triumph ; yet he 
had times when the immortal soul seemed to asser^ 
its right to rejoice in defiance of the suffering, 
dying body. Once, during the last afternoon, when 
his sister mentioned the Christian's hope, he ex- 
claimed, " Oh, blessed hope ! — Oh, blessed hope !" — 
repeating the expression until his voice failed and 
only the faintest whisper, a radiant smile, and an 
upward gaze told of the precious thought, and the 
rich joy that was filling his mind and heart. His 
end was peace. That " peace of God which pass- 
eth understanding." A Christian conqueror may 
die calmly ; for Christian courage is a deep, quiet 
power, unconscious of itself, but of unspeakable 
advantage to those who possess it. Thus God is 
burying his workman, but carrying on his work. 

Others will spring up to fill the places of those 
called away. Is there not one who will gladly step 
forward and take up the glittering sword of the 
promoted warrior, and wield it as faithfully as he 
did ? One thought greatly comforts the Christian 
soldier, viz : — the cause of truth is never ruined by 
the death of its champions. 

How imperishable must be that cause which can 

a 



50 MEMORIAL OF KEfV. 

survive its defenders; yea, which can save its 
defenders when they can fight no longer j can en. 
velop them in an imperious coat of mail, and send 
them to the grand camp of triumph above, where 
victor-songs are sung, and conflicts are no more. 

He was buried, August 13th, and at his request 
I preached a sermon from the theme, " The glory 
and reward of heaven are more abundant than all 
the sufferings of earth." Rom. viii: 18. Brother 
Benton, pastor Wesleyan Church, Albany, Vt., 
brother Pritty, pastor Methodist Church, Sheffield, 
Yt., and brother Willey, pastor Baptist Churchy 
Sutton, Vt, r were present, and kindly assisted in 
the services. Much to the regret of all parties, 
Bro. Wardner was prevented from being present 
by the unfaithfulness of the Telegraph Co. in de- 
livering the despatch. 

The sermon preached at his funeral was pre- 
pared during the early part of his illness, and in 
the main approved by him on my last visit to him 
in February. 

•' How beautiful it is for man to die 
Upon the walls of Zion I To be ealled, 
Like a watch-worn and weary sentinel, 
To lay his armor off, and rest in heaven."" 

Safe as he is, and fondly as we whisper— "he is 
resting now ; " yet, 

u The hope of that world whose existence is bliss, 
May not stifle the tears of the mourners of this." 

Brother Kenaston will be missed and mourned 



THOMAS HARVEY KEN ASTON. 51 

by a large circle of warm and earnest friends ; in 
the Conference where none were honored more or 
loved better ) in the Churches where he was ever 
a welcome guest and an appreciated teacher ; in 
all the homes he was wont to enliven and bless 
with his presence and holy influence ; in the ranks 
of the true and brave where truth was illustrated 
and guarded, and where error was exposed and 
destroyed. But more than all, and deeper than all, 
he will be most keenly missed in that home he has 
left desolate, and in those hearts that have so long 
thrilled with pleasure in his presence and drooped 
in sadness in his absence. Let not our sympathy 
for them be wanting, nor let us fail to manifest it 
in every proper and acceptable manner. 

u Mourn for the living, mourn, 

But weep not for the dead } 
They need your tears from whom is torn 

Their pattern and their head. 77 

How significant the fact that Nature had furnish- 
ed his grave with a smooth stone bottom; as 
though he who loved the Rock so well, might not 
rest, even in death, upon the shifting sand of earth. 

Perhaps I cannot better close this sketch, than 
in the words of Bickersteth's dying seer. 

" The last day of my earthly pilgrimage 
Was closing, and the end was peace. 

The lamp that hung 
Suspended in my chamber slowly paled 
And nickered in its socket; But my soul 



52 MEMORIAL OP REV. 

Was lit up with a purer, clearer light, 

The day-break of a near eternity, 

Which cast its penetrating beams across 

The isthmus of my life, and fringed with, gold 

The mists of childhood, and revealed beyond 

The outline of the everlasting hills. 

I knew 
My hours were numbered, and that I should see 
No other sunshine on this weary world ; 
And gently said, 

I My wife, my darling, I am going home ; 
God wills it, darling, — going home to-night.' 
Sorely I feared the first shock of my words 
Upon the tenderest of human hearts, 

A wife's, a mother's heart. But softly laying 
Her hand upon my burning brow, she said, 

I I know it all, beloved husband, God 
Hath spoken to me also, and hath given 

These brief hours to my wrestling prayers. Enough 
To-morrow and all after-life for tears, 
To-day and all eternity for love.' 

God was there, 
I knew it, I was with him ; and meanwhile, 
His angel gently loosened all the cords 
Of my frail tabernacle, and the tent 
Fluttered to every breeze. 

I was more 
Than ankle-deep in Jordan's icy stream ; 
My gentle wife, with love stronger than death, 
Was leaning over those cold, gliding waves. 
I heard them speaking, but could. make no sign; 
I saw them weeping, but could shed no tear ; 

Gradually 
The figures faded on the shore of time ; 



THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 53 

And, as the solemn bell of midnight struck, 
One sob, one effort, and my spirit was free.'* 



EXTRACT FROM A LETTER BY REV, J. CROKER. 

Brother Kenaston had a sound conversion when 
a boy, under the ministry of the late Rev. Ira Hall, 
by whom he Was baptized. His call to the work 
of the ministry was recognized by the Christian 
community almost simultaneously with his conver- 
sion; amongst others by the venerable Elder 
Woodman, pastor of the Freewill Baptist Church 
in Sheffield, who soon took him into his pulpit to 
assist him in public worship. More than one 
Christian in Sheffield has spoken to me of that 
scene as exceedingly touching; that modest boy 
seated with that white-haired man, high above the 
people, and with no signs of slavish fear, offering 
prayer in language as appropriate as though he 
already felt something of the awfulness of his high 
commission. I first became acquainted with him 
in 1858, when I was preaching on the Albany and 
Glover Circuit. He and all his father's family 
were members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church 
in South Glover. He had just completed his 
academic course, and seemed in a state of inde- 
cision in relation to the next step toward the 
Christian Ministry. He frankly informed me of 
his purpose to devote himself to this work, but was 



54 MEMORIAL OF REV, 

not satisfied with his literary qualification s, and 
wished to pursue a higher course of study. I im- 
mediately suggested that he should go to the Wes- 
leyan Methodist Seminary at Leoni, Mich. He 
replied " That is just what I want," His subse- 
quent well-digested pulpit efforts and scholarly 
contributions to the press show with what assiduity 
he devoted himself to study at Leoni and after- 
wards at Adrian College. 

J. Croker. 

EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS BY REV. DYAR WILLIS, PAS- 
TOR OF M. E. CHURCH, WATERBURY CENTRE, 
VT., AND HIS WIFE. 

Bro. Patridge: — Our much respected and la- 
mented Brother Kenaston visited us at Cabot, and 
again at Middlesex, Vt, Those interviews were 
like the meeting of Paul and Titus. 2 Cor. vii : 6. 
We then held sweet converse together, and parted 
in Christian fellowship, expecting to meet in the 
kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, to go no more 
out forever. Alleluia, for the Lord God omnipo- 
tent reigneth. I remember him as a very worthy 
young man, and an able minister of the Word of 
God. I was not much associated with him in his 
more mature ministry, I will therefore mention but 
a few incidents. The question arose in an Annual 
Conference with regard to the trial of officers of 
the Conference : when he remarked " In the judg- 
ment of the great day, those in high positions will 



THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 55 

as certainly be judged as those of lower rank, why 
should it not be so here ?" I once asked his opin- 
ion of the rule excluding members of Secret Socie- 
ties from the Church. He replied, " I think it will 
be easier to keep the serpent out, than to oust him 
when once in the Church. 7 ' With reference to the 
Communion he said, " I believe it is the Lord's 
Table, and all his true followers have a right to 
come to it" To the question — " Are you not ready 
to join the Methodist Episcopal Church ?" he an- 
swered, •' I have not yet heard them fully confess 
their sins with regard to American Slavery." How 
pleasing a prospect before the righteous, a home 
with all the loved ones, and the lovely. The great- 
est object of all effort is to fit souls for heaven, to 
glorify God. 

Dyar Willis. 

Dear Bro. Patridge : — Brother Kenaston was 
one we loved, and love to think of; his memory is 
blessed. He was one of our best Christian gentle- 
men. His Christian character stood out where it 
was seen in all departments of life, every day ; as 
he used frequently to say, " I wish to demonstrate 
my religion by my daily walk;" and he surely did. 
He ever kept his charge in view ; and with what 
fervor would he sing that hymn he loved so well, 
" A charge to keep I have," &c. 

He could rejoice with any who were in ecstacy or 



56 Memorial of rev. 

weep with those in tears. Well do we remember 
his loving sympathy and words of comfort when 
we were bereaved of our loved ones and left child- 
less. He was ever ready to lend a listening ear to 
those in distress, and to give words of comfort, 
and his kind deeds were richer than his words. 
He was a good man, his work was done, although 
we could not see it. He was ready, all ready, for 
heaven and its joys, and our poor excuse for life 
should at once surrender. His example let us fol- 
low as he followed Christ, that when our work on 
earth is ended we may be as ready as our dear 
brother to enter the joy of our Lord. 

Mary D. Willis. 



WEYBRIDGE MEMORIAL SERVICES. 

To honor the memory of Rev. T. H. Kenaston, 
and to impress the living with the duty of a true 
life, Memorial Services were held in the Wes- 
leyan Methodist Church in Weybridge, Vt., on 
Sunday, September 1st, 1872. ' 

The front of the desk (where he had preached 
from 1862 to 1866) was covered with black broad- 
cloth, gracefully festooned with white and purple 
flowers. Upon a table in the altar stood a monu- 
ment of pure white, three feet high, resting upon a 
broad white base, emblematic of Christ; on the face 
of the monumenc was printed one word, FA I T H. 



THOMAS HARVEY RENASTON. 57 

The monument was wreathed with an evergreen 
vine, with tiny knots of beautiful white flowers. 
The pure fragrance of these flowers, though not 
half so rich or lovely as that - proceeding from a 
symmetrical life of holy faith in Jesus Christ, 
might be used to represent this, and thus add force 
and instruction to the beauty of the illustration. 

After suitable introductory exercises, a sermon 
was delivered by the Pastor, Rev. L. C. Partridge, 
to a large audience of the friends of the deceased 
minister upon the 

THEME, 

" God buries his workman, but carries on his 
work." 

Text — Deut, xxxiv: 5, 6. — "'So Moses, the servant of 
the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, according to the 
word of the Lord. And he buried him in a valley in the 
land of Moab over against Beth-peor." 

The theme of the discourse was abundantly 
supported by a brief, yet comprehensive sketch of 
the life of Moses, John the Baptist, Abraham 
Lincoln, and Orange Scott, showing that each of 
these important leaders was called away ironi his 
great work just when (according to human wis- 
dom) he was most needed to carry it on to com- 
pletion ; and that in each case God raised up new 
leaders or agencies by which the great results were 
accomplished just as successfully. 

The discourse closed with a historical sketch of 
3* 



58 MEMORIAL OP RET. 

the life of Brother Keoaston embracing his child • 
hood, youth, manhood; as a son, brother, friend, 
companion, parent ; as a laborer, student, citizen, 
minister, reformer; the advocate of every good, 
and uncompromising foe of every evil; modest, 
sincere, earnest, zealous, useful ; respected by all, 
and loved by many, whose smile was glad, whose 
laugh was music set to words of love. 

u For he who blesses most is blest, 

And God and man shall own his worth." ' 

" And soon or late to all that sow, 
The time of harvest shall be given ; 

The flower shall bloom, the fruit shall grow, 
If not on earth, at last in heaven. n 



MEMORIAL SERVICES IN SYRACUSE, N. Y., AUGUST 

18, 1872, 

After intelligence of the death of Rev. T. H. 
Kenaston reached Syracuse, the Church took im- 
mediate measures to hold appropriate Memorial 
Services. It appointed committees on music, dra- 
pery, and addresses. On Sabbath morning the 
church was filled to its utmost seating capacity, 
and the pulpit was draped in mourning, while rich 
bouquets made of green and white relieved the som- 
ber shades of mourning. In the rear of the pul- 
pit, upon the wall were folds of black and white 
fabric, hanging in the form of an arch, and be- 



THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 59 

tween the sides of which, and in the center were 
fixed the words — 

IN MEMORIAM. 

Services were commenced by singing the hymn 
beginning, 

" Servant of G-od, well done ! 

Rest from thy loved employ ; 
The battle fought, the victory won, 

Enter thy Master's joy." 

The singing of this expressive hymn with, its 
stirring adaptation, had a most thrilling effect 
upon the entire audience. 

Rev. Dr. Arnold, of the M. E. Church, a true 
reformer, and the personal friend of brother Ken- 
aston, made the opening prayer, which was full of 
thought, pathos and unction. 

After singing another hymn beginning, 

" Grod moves in a mysterious way," 
Rev. A. Crooks spoke for substance as follows : — 
We are here to-day, not to praise the dead, but 
to admonish and consolate the living. To us as a 
Church this is a new experience. In a history of 
some thirty years, this pulpit is draped for the first 
time. Taken from his post of duty and responsi. 
bility some nine months ago, to days and weeks 
and months of severe suffering, and to a life-and- 
death struggle, on the 10th inst., fifteen minutes be- 
fore twelve o'clock at night, our beloved pastor, 



60 MEMORIAL OP REV. 

Thomas Harvey Kenaston received his release 
from this theater of toil, conflict and suffering, and 
went up to take his crown of imperishable glory. 
Affection for his dependent family, and devotion to 
the cause of his Master made him desire to live, 
though he feared not to die. 

We are all mourners to-day ; but we sorrow not 
as those having no hope. Our brother is gone, but 
not lost. " Life and immortality have been brought 
to light." It has been written, " Blessed are the 
dead who die in the Lord." 

But in memory and affection, and in the fruits 
of his labor, brother Kenaston is still with us. 
We note some points of special interest in his 
character and history. 

1. He was converted in early life, and the fact 
of his conversion was clear to himself and all who 
knew him. His intelligent zeal soon marked him 
as a future embassador for Christ. Had he not 
been thus converted while in youth, dying in such 
early manhood, his life must have been a compara- 
tive failure. But as it is, the arbitraments of etern- 
ity will pronounce it a grand success. He has 
gathered gems for the Master's crown. Will not 
the young people of this congregation act wisely 
and go and do likewise ? God grant that you 
may. 

2. His talents were solid, rather than brilliant. 
His appeals were to the conscience and understand- 



1H0MAS HARVEY KEN ASTON. 61 

ing rather than the imagination or passions. Not 
the glare of words of men's wisdom, bat the plain, 
direct, earnest statement of gospel truth. Not the 
lightning, and thunder, and tempest, but the gentle 
and fertilizing shower. Not the sudden jerk ; but 
the steady pull, which raises the weight. 

But qualities of the heart as well as those of the 
head distinguished him. Hence to be appreciated 
fully, he had to be known intimately. He was can- 
did, kind, gentle, urbane, confiding, affectionate, 
honest — too sincere to be ceremonious — indepen- 
dent in thought, and fearless in utterance and 
action. His deportment was adorned by native 
dignity and manly good sense. 

Possessed of these qualities he was held in high 
esteem in the Ghamplain Conference, where he was 
best known. Hence his removals were infrequent. 
For several years he was pastor at Wey bridge, Yt., 
and also at Lisbon Center, N. Y. In our hearing, 
the delegate from the latter place told the Confer- 
ence that he was prepared to contract brother 
Kenaston's services for forty years. Happy is 
that minister who can have such an indorsement. 
The confidence of his Conference is seen in that he 
was elected its Secretary, Treasurer of its Mission- 
ary Society, and in 1867, one of its delegates to 
the General Conference at Cleveland, Ohio. 

3. He was eminently devoted to our distinctive 
denominational principles. Judged from a human 



62 MEMORIAL OP REV. 

stand-point, a Wesleyan Methodist pulpit is not a 
very promising stepping-stone to either wealth or 
fame. The young man of culture, promise, and 
common ambition who chooses it as his life-long 
post of duty, in that act makes it a monument of 
sterling personal integrity. It was reported that in 
the Convention at Cleveland, looking to a union 
with certain other Methodist bodies, the platform 
was adopted by a unanimous vote. This was a 
mistake. With his own lips Brother Kenaston 
told me that he stood up in the vote against it. 
Amid the potent appliances brought to bear to in- 
duce him to forsake our denominational ship, and 
they were powerful indeed, he stood as immovable 
as the pillars of Hercules. 

His last letter, written eleven days before his de- 
parture, pours the clear daylight of eternity through 
every apartment of his soul. 

[Here the speaker read the letter which may be 
found on page 45 of this volume, and continued :] 

Manifestly the heart which indited the foregoing 
words was ripe for heaven. His deep solicitude 
and fervent prayers for the prosperity of the Church, 
the salvation of the youthful portion of the congre- 
gation and of the members of the Sabbath-school 
are fully known only to God. But he is gone ! He 
has ceased to plead, entreat, implore and pray. 
There is one less to work for Jesus and labor for 
souls. Will not some one this day settle the question 



THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 63 

to live for God and heaven? Shall not we, ministers 
and people, re-consecrate ourselves to our holy, heaven- 
appointed work ? There is much to be done, and 
but little time in which to do it. 

God help us all, as has our brother, to live a 
Christian, die a victor, and ascend to join the 
multitude, which no man can number, in ceaseless 
praises "unto Him who hath loved us, and hath 
washed us from our sins in his own blood j to Him 
be glory and dominion forever. Amen." 

ADDRESS OP REV. A, S. WIGHTMAN. 

Rev. A, S. Wightman spoke, substantially as 
follows : — 

"The relation which I have the honor of sus- 
taining to the clergy, the cherished benefits which 
I have received through the pulpit ministrations of 
our departed brother, and the impressive sugges- 
tions of these memorial services, all alike prompt 
in me a willingness to offer a few thoughts on this 
sad occasion. 

There are three elements associated with man's 
relation to the Divine government, around which, 
what I now have to say, will cluster. These three 
elements are, the eternity of being, the eternity of 
knowledge, and the eternity of truth. 

Man, in some respects, is an offshoot of the Di- 
vine character ; he bore originally the mental and 
moral image of God. The mental image still re- 



64 MEMORIAL OF REV. 

mains, though seriously embarrassed, while the 
moral may be said to have suffered more seriously 
still. The moral and mental attributes of God are 
as imperishable as his essential nature ; hence while 
man possesses them he must possess imperishable 
being. Death, then, can be only an accident, in 
no sense imperiling continued being. Our brother 
is not here; as this sad drapery but too plainly 
tells ; yet he is in the full possession of conscious 
being, over on the golden hills of life where tears 
fall not, and changes never come. 

Change of the relations of being, in no sense in- 
volves the cessation of being. Here we toil and 
suffer; there we shall rest and rejoice) yet our 
personal identity will remain in all the same. 
Hence our departed brother is not really dead; 
but gone on to a higher and more glorious sphere. 

The eternity of knowledge is also a great cen- 
tral truth involving much that is of vital interest to 
us. Our personal knowledge involves the sublime 
developments of both worlds. We who are here, 
know what transpires there; that is, all which is 
necessary for us to know, by means of revelation. 
The Word tells us of a sea of glass mingled with 
fire; and of a company, who, through earnest 
efforts, have conquered the beast and shaken off his 
image ; and are standing upon the sea of fire, and 
that they have palms in their hands, and wear white 
robes, and handle the harps of God. — The Word 



THOMAS HARVEY KEN ASTON". 65 

also assures us, that such as die in the Lord are 
blessed from henceforth. These and many other 
similar assurances tell us, most impressively, of the 
happy change which our brother has made. 

Departed spirits know well, also, what is transpir- 
ing in this world ; although by different means than 
those through which we know what transpires in 
the spirit world. Spirits, disburthened of a broken 
mortal body, possess clearer and stronger percep- 
tive powers than we do, a larger range of knowl- 
edge than we do, and make observations from a 
vastly higher sphere than we can ; wherefore we 
think it quite philosophical to conclude, that by 
these advanced steps they may know the events of 
our world * as well as we, by revelation, may know 
the events of their world.. These things being so, 
our brother may see these tears that fall, hear these 
sighs which escape from deeply moved breasts, and 
look with grateful emotions upon the sorrow-stricken 
features of this large and intelligent congregation. 
Yes, he knows us all ; he knows how deeply our 
sympathies are moved ; both for the departed, and 
the dear stricken ones of his own house which he 
has left ; and he knows well the purposes of many 
hearts, to meet him on the golden shore. By faith 
we greet him still ; and through faith we will yet 
meet him on the sunny hills of life, where sorrows 
never come and shadows never fall. 

The eternity of truth is also a pleasing theme 



66 MEMORIAL OF REV. 

for contemplation in an hour like this. Truth once 
spoken becomes an immortal proclamation. The 
voice which uttered it may cease to be heard by- 
mortals, yet the undying verity like a chariot of light 
flies onward making its earnest appeals to successive 
generations yet to come. 

We who are present here to-day have heard the 
principles of life which have . so often fallen from 
his sacred lips. Let us remember that our obliga- 
tions to receive their instructions have not ceased 
because their author has passed from our midst. 
We cherish his memory to-day ; let us honor it by 
reducing to practice the saving precepts which he 
so faithfully gave us, The stars may cease to shine, 
the sun grow dim with age, and nature sink in 
years ; and this beautiful, world of ours under the 
racking power of dissolution fall back to chaos 
from which it came ; but truth, immortal truth, 
such as our brother so fearlessly proclaimed, will 
live and shine while eternity endures. It may 
for a time be eclipsed, and even trodden under 
foot; but 

u Truth crushed to earth shall rise again, 
The eternal years of God are her's ; 

While wounded error writhes in pain, 
And dies amid her worshipers." 

Our brother's brief career of earnest toil and 
liis present rest in Heaven are forcibly expressed 
in these moving lines of the poet. Our brother 



THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 67 

struggled with the "rolling clouds," disease and 
general debility, until no longer able to stand in 
the pulpit ; but he now rests in the bright sunshine 
of Heaven. 

" As some tall cliff of awful form, 
Swells from the vale and midway meets the storm j 
While around its heart the rolling clouds are spread, 
Eternal sunshine settles on its head." 



ADDRESS OF REV. L. N. STRATTON. 

Rev. L. N. Stratton spoke in substance as fol- 
lows : — 

When a victor of the Olympic games, or from 
any of the great campaigns of Greece returned to 
his native city, the walls were broken down, and 
upon an elevated settle he was borne through them 
upon the shoulders of men, amid shouts of joy and 
songs of triumph. We come not here to mourn a 
brother's defeat, but to rejoice, at his victories, and 
his triumphant entry into the Golden City. 

On that Saturday night when his last struggles 
were ended and life's long week was over, could we 
have stood with spiritual vision clear, and seen him 
enter the wide-swung gates of glory, perhaps with 
bands of music coming out to meet and welcome 
him with " an abundant entrance" into the realms 
of light, we would rejoice to-day, instead of weep- 
ing. He was God's soldier and confronted many 
enemies without and within. A week ago last night 



68 Memorial of rev\ 

he fought his last battle; and the last enemy which 
through Christ he destroyed, was death. The 
world has need of so many such hearts and arms 
as his in moral battle that we are led to wonder 
what the wisdom can be in removing him. But 
my friends, we can see only the coarse part of the 
machinery on the outside of the building where we 
are. Were we passed within as he is, then we 
could discover the exquisite workings of an infinite 
Father's plans. God has some plan, only a small 
part of which we can see. Our brother Kenaston 
must live forever, and into that forever he has 
passed a little earlier than we might have supposed. 
God has some better thing prepared for him. 

Two soldiers stood by the tent of a dead comrade, 
and one remarked, " There's another poor fellow 
got his discharge." "No, not that!" "Well, if 
not discharged what is it ?" — " Only transferred."— 
" Transferred where ?" " To the other depart- 
ment." " What for ?" " Don't know, that depends 
upon what he is fit for." So our brother is trans- 
ferred through death's portals — to take his place 
among immortal spirits — to fulfill the high behests 
of eternal Wisdom. 

To this end death comes alike to all. No sex is 
spared ; no age exempt. The majestic and courtly 
roads over which monarchs pass; the way that 
men of learning tread ; the path along which the 
warrior flies, and the short and simple story of the 



THOMAS HARVEY KEN ASTON. 69 

poor, — all lead to one place, — all terminate in that 
enormous house — the end of all living — the grave. 
One short sentence closes the history of every man, 
be he a Caesar or a Hannibal; a Cyrus or a 
Xerxes ; the rich man or Lazarus dog-licked at his 
gate j Methuselah, or the child of yesterday, and 
that one short sentence is, " And he died." It is 
written of the oldest patriarch the world ever knew, 
" The days of his years were nine hundred and 
sixty -nine and he died." There it is — " and he 
died." Yes he died, he had to. And if so, what of 
us who are so short of life and few of years. 

Dear hearer, remember "It is appointed unto 
men once to die," — and hence unto you. Are you 
ready ? " In such an hour as ye think not the Son 
of Man cometh." Do you feel that death will be a 
rest to you ? Have you so toiled amid the din and 
dust of earth that thoughts of the sweet groves of 
peace give a thrill of delight ? Will you go home 
as a child, wearied with its toys, lies down and 
sweetly rests ? Or must you be scourged to it like 
a prisoner to his cell? Though anxious to li\ r e 
and dare and do for Christ, do you not sometimes 
long to lay your aching head and painful heart be- 
neath the soil — 

"To slumber in that dreamless bed 
From all your toil ?" 

Our departed brother clung to life, it is true, 
but he was ready. He said so in his last letter, 



70 MEMORIAL OF REV. 

and with almost his dying hand. And what won- 
der that he wanted to live ? He said it was for 
the sake of his little family, and for the Master's 
cause. " For," said he — " this is such a glorious 
time to live and fight for Clod and truth." Ah !— 
that expression shows the still beating aspiration 
of that dying soldier -heart. It was like the last 
command of the dauntless Lawrence—" Stand your 
ground, my braves !" — -or the prostrated General 
Wolfe at the battle of Quebec, whose dying words 
were, " And now God be praised, but do your duty, 
men !" — or Commodore Perry who shouted with his 
final gasp,—" Don't give up the ship !" So with our 
dauntless Kenaston. He shouts again to his Charge 
here on the battle lines, " Forward ! — -my braves !" 
" For this is a glorious time to live and fight for 
God and truth." He died of wounds received in 
this moral battle. To it he gave all his manhood's 
years, and then fell like a soldier ; — he died at his 
post. 

Early in our acquaintance, which began five years 
ago, he gave me the key to his heart, and bade me 
welcome within. I knew what was there. Since 
then, together we have walked, eaten, slept, jour* 
nejed, boarded, visited at each other's homes, and 
in short, been intimate. I think I knew him well. 
His cheerfulness sometimes disguised the fact that 
he entertained the deepest of moral convictions and 



THOMAS HARVEY/ KEN ASTON. 71 

'sentiments, and was by the grace of God, living for 
eternity. 

His sentiments Were his own. He never asked 
himself whether his brethren, or the wisest and the 
best would agree with him; but upon all new 
issues his queries were " What does God want V 
" What does Christ teach ?" He seldom shaped his 
course by that of other men, but always seemed to 
me to travel straight toward truth, whether it ran 
parallel to, or across the paths of others. He did 
not seek the tortuous highway with easy grades^ 
along which the popular crowd of Christians 
ascend the hill toward moral truth, but he always 
seemed to see the streaming light and went for it 
direct — though it led across lots. 

He had his failings. He was a man. Was clad 
in human flesh, and like all others made mistakes. 
But in the grand aim of life he consulted not with 
flesh and blood, but with a will like a Mameluke's 
arm, and the directness of a Sythian lance, he drove 
his mark to the center, and trampled the adversary 
under his feet. 

But he has gone. His place in his family, in the 
social circle, in religious meetings, conferences and 
conventions, will now be vacant. And only by his 
influence will he hereafter lift up his voice against 
the sword of the coming enemy. 

Upon whose shoulders shall his mantle fall? 
Who of the young men and j oung women ; who of 



72 MEMORIAL OF REV. 

this entire audience will lift the harder now that he 
has fallen under the load ? Who with me will con- 
secrate yourselves anew to Christ and his work to- 
day ? The battle must go on though the soldiers 
fall, and in the not distant future, victory or defeat 
must come. Will these, who were so long under 
his training, and many of whom were enlistments of 
his mustering, let the cause recede because the 
leader has fallen ? Will they in view of the de- 
mands of the living present, will they in view of the 
mighty To-Day — 

' ' Arise, for the day is passing, 

While you lie dreaming on, 
Your leader has fallen in armor, 

In which to the fight he had gone ; 
Yonr place in the ranks awaits you, 

Each man has a part to play, 
The past and the future are nothing, 

In the face of the stern To-day !" 

Have you never heard Brother Kenaston, when 
urging to greater energy in the great work of soul- 
saving, speak of the young Spartan who complained 
to his father that his sword was too short, and 
the old veteran responded? — "Add a step to it." 
So do thou in the rest of life's journey. Every 
day has its conflicts. "Add a step to the sword." 

I entreat you in the words of a hymn that he 
loved : 

" Mount up the heights of wisdom, 
And crush each error low, 



THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 73 

Keep back no words of knowledge, 
Which human hearts should know. 

Be faithful to thy mission, 
In service of thy Lord, 

And then a golden chaplet, 
Shall be thy just reward. 



FUNERAL SERMON PREACHED AT SHEFFIELD, VERMONT, 

AUGUST 13, 1872, BY REV. L. C. PATRIDGE, OF 

WEYBREDGE, VERMONT. 

A certain ,poet has said : — 

" If you cannot in the conflict, 

Prove yourself a soldier true ; 
If where fire and smoke are thickest 

There's no work for you to do ; 
When the battle-field is silent, 

You can go with careful tread, 
You can bear away the wounded, 

You can cover up the dead." 

This is the mission for which I have come here 
to-day. I would not dare mention my own sol- 
diership before such a warrior as my brother has 
proved himself to be. But I would, in this hour 
of keenest sorrow, bear away these deeply wound- 
ed hearts and lay them on the calm and loviug 
bosom of my God, whose purest sympathy and 
healing comfort are so richly bestowed. And I 
would tread carefully by the open grave of the 
dear departed, and softly, tenderly replace the 
green sods over as true and noble a man as I ever 
knew. 4 



74 MEMORIAL OF REV. 

My text may be found in Romans viii : 18. 

" I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are 
not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall 
be revealed in us." 

What would have been the reply of Columbus 
if he had been told of the labor, and sacrifice and 
suffering which lay between him and the discovery 
of the Western Continent ; that poverty, ridicule, 
and contempt would meet him in every turn in the 
path; that the Republic of Genoa, the kingdoms 
of Portugal, of England, and of Spain would suc- 
cessively reject his proposals, and turn him away 
mortified and stinging with pain ; that nearly twen- 
ty years would roll their weary round before he 
should set his foot upon the unknown shore, and 
thank the God of heaven for his success ? I think 
he would have said, while his eye kindled with a 
fire which no discouragement could quench, "I 
reckon that the toil and suffering of twenty years 
are not worthy to be compared with the honor 
and the glory which future ages will bestow upon 
him who gives to mankind a new world." 

Who has not admired the dying words of Gen. 
Wolfe? He had suffered most intensely, in re- 
peated disasters ; in personal sickness ; in severe 
wounds; in heavy losses in his army; had over- 
come almost insurmountable obstacles; fought a 
desperate battle, in which he was borne mortally 
wounded from the field. He was told that the 



THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 75 

enemy fled before his tried battalions, when he 
exclaimed, " Now God be praised ; I will die in 
peace." 

He was just in the bloom of life, at the age of 
thirty-three j honored beyond his years with this 
important command; England all aglow with en- 
thusiastic praise of his acheivements ; a desirable 
marriage awaiting his return. And yet, with all 
these inducements to live, and all these painful ex- 
periences pushing him toward death, he could say, 
l< I die content," or in other words, H I reckon 
that all my sacrifices and sufferings are not worthy 
to be compared with the honor and glory which 
will crown my memory in the hearts of my coun- 
trymen, and in the history of the world." 

Cyrus W. Field encountered unsurpassed adver- 
sities in laying the Atlantic Telegraph. He cross- 
ed the ocean seven times ; expended large sums of 
money ; met the taunts of the world for determin- 
ing to do what others said could not be done. He 
argued and plead and almost begged of capitalists 
to help him with their money. He spent twelve years 
of labor, anxiety, discouragement, failure. He 
made himself a bankrupt ; and yet during all these 
years he felt so sure of victory that he could have 
said, " I reckon that all this toil, disappointment, 
and expense, are not worth comparing with the 
wealth, satisfaction and honor, which are certain 
to reward this protracted struggle." 



76 MEMOEIAL OP REV. 

If these men in such enterprises could endure 
so great trials, and feel satisfied with the results 
promised, with what unshaken firmness may God's 
children go forward trusting in the divine Word, 
assured that an eternity of unspeakable glory shall 
be their reward. The compensation infinitely out- 
measures all the toil, sacrifice and pain which can 
possibly attend the faithful discharge of every duty 
which is laid upon them. There are few Chris- 
tians who are called to endure one tenth of what 
the Apostle passed through, and he could testify 
with unshrinking faith, " I reckon that the suffer- 
ings of this present time are not worthy to be 
compared with the glory which shall be revealed 
in us." 

The theme of the discourse to-day will be, The 
Rewards of Heaven are more abundant than the 
Sufferings of Earth. 

We must not understand that the Apostle here 
ignores earthly suffering, or meets it with stoical 
indifference. No, he was perhaps as sensitive to 
the touch of pain and sorrow as any living man. 
He even makes a record of his sufferings for the 
encouragement of his fellow-disciples. But in the 
midst of it all, and above it all, he maintains such 
a view of the glory of heaven as enables him to 
bear it all without a murmur, but actually to "glo- 
ry in tribulations," not for their sake, but " know- 
ing that tribulation worketh patience ) and patience 



THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 77 

experience ; and experience hope ; and hope mak- 
eth not ashamed ; because the love of God is shed 
abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, which is 
given unto us." It is then to secure these rich ex- 
periences that he endures sorrow so triumphantly- 
Like the traveler, he is willing, yea, anxious to 
climb to the very mountain-top for the expansive 
and beautiful scenery which there greets his eye 
and feasts his mind. Or, like the miner, he re- 
joices in the hard labor and darkness of the mine 
for the sake of the rich and precious ores he finds 
therein and makes his own. The Apostle's life 
was full of sorrow and yet God's grace so shaped 
it all that the sweetest juice of the crushed grapes 
filled and overflowed his cup of blessing. And 
who does not know that the finest flour is ob- 
tained only by the closer pressure of the mill- 
stones. So he who would drink from the springs 
of Paradise, and eat the fruit of life's fair tree, 
must first dip his feet in the chilling Jordan, and 
feel the dash of its spray upon his throbbing tem- 
ples. 

Among the rewards of heaven, and constituting 
a part of the saints' eternal glory we notice, 

1. The possession of a perfect, spiritual body 
not subject to pain, disease, or death. 
> Much of the suffering of earth is in consequence 
of a defective body. Every nerve is full of capa- 
city to receive pain, and how often this capacity is 



78 MEMORIAL OF REV. 

tested to its utmost. The heart is subject to in- 
tense agony, and often this agony is experienced 
until each drop of blood the heart contains seems 
changed to a blistering coal of fire. Sorrow is 
not a stranger to the human heart which sometimes 
stops to tarry for the night ; it is a resident who 
claims possession and authority. It is not an over- 
shot thread which may be picked out and leave 
the fabric still complete ; it is the very woof in 
the full web of our existence. 

Our brother whom we mourn to-day knew some- 
thing of this suffering. He has felt the cutting, 
crushing pains in brain and lungs and heart. His 
entire physical structure, like a broad thorough- 
fare, has been run over and trodden hard by a 
host of iron-hoofed pangs which seemed to vie 
with each other in producing the most intense mis- 
ery. But this has all ended now, and he has en- 
tered into the enjoyment of that spiritual, "house 
not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." 

The Apostle teaches that such is the state of the 
Christian whose earthly house of this tabernacle 
is dissolved, and he declares that " we who are in 
this tabernacle do groan being burdened," ear- 
nestly " desiring to be clothed upon with our 
house which is from heaven." Of the saint's hea- 
venly body the word of God is explicit. It is, 
celestial, spiritual, incorruptible, immortal; pos- 
sessing power and glory. It is like unto Christ's 



THOMAS HARVEY KEN ASTON. 79 

glorious body. When such facts are before the 
mind, how triumphantly we may look beyond our 
short-lived bodily pains to the immortal glory of 
our spiritual body and exclaim, " I reckon that 
the sufferings of this present time are not worthy 
to be compared with the glory which shall be 
revealed in us." 

2. The reward of heaven will include a mind 
complete, active, capable of extended research, and 
untiring application. 

Many sufferings of this life are of the mind. 
There exist care, anxiety, mental weakness and 
pain. It is often obliged to act through a frail, 
decaying body and cannot manifest its real power. 
Then, its powers are shut in by all its material 
surroundings, and cannot secure a complete devel- 
opment till freed from earth's prison-walls and 
clay-born fetters. How often we are told, espe- 
cially by the sick, I cannot control my mind, I can 
not meditate as I wish ; my mind wanders, grows 
weary, and if I press it too far it becomes to 
some extent deranged. But when it shall be re- 
leased from its connection with the body and 
enters its spiritual tenement, the mind will become 
a complete faculty of unceasing activity, capable of 
extending its researches indefinitely ; to labor and 
enjoy without limits of fear or fatigue. How 
often in this life we find ourself unable to express 
the deepest and richest thoughts and feelings of 



80 MEMORIAL OF REY. 

our mind. But in the future life, mind will be 
able to communicate with mind without a veil be- 
tween, and the clearest ideas of the mind will be 
just as clear to each communing mind. " Now we 
see through a glass darkly ; but then face to face ; 
now I know in part, but then shall I know even 
as also I am known." 

3. The souls of the saints in heaven rejoice in 
the highest freedom, and in the rich and near union 
with God, and are able to drink large draughts 
from the infinite fountains of divine pleasure. 

Herein consists much of the glory referred to 
in our text, " Glory revealed in us ;" that is, in 
the glorified state of the Christian's soul. Here 
happiness unalloyed wells up and overflows the 
ransomed spirit. Here the depth and purity and 
holiness of the Christian religion is seen in the 
clear light of eternal truth. In this world men 
often deceive themselves by thinking they are 
grateful to God, when they are only happy in their 
own temporal surroundings, and were these bless- 
ings withdrawn would become discontented and 
rebellious. That state of good feeling which is 
only warmed into existence and kept alive by 
continual supplies of joy is not the religion of 
Jesus Christ. For when sorrow comes, in its 
drenching shower, it is chilled and dies ; when the 
hot sun of trial pours its scorching rays upoD it, 
how soon it withers away. This will not cause 



THOMAS HARVEY KEN ASTON. 81 

" glory to be revealed in us" in the future world. 
The religion of Christ emits a soft and mellow 
light even in the darkest hours ; and sheds a com- 
forting influence upon sorrow which robs it of its 
sting, and imparts a sweet and holy joy, which 
like an under-current, quietly and yet surely bears 
the soul of its possessor toward the haven of rest, 
where infinite happiness and glory are sure to be 
revealed. 

The richest point in human nature is the immor- 
tality of the soul, and its consequent capacity for 
receiving the permanent polish of heavenly glory. 
If this point is rejected, there is nothing left in 
man worthy the price of human redemption. But 
thank God, nature, the character of the soul, and 
divine revelation harmoniously attest the truth of 
this important doctrine. How striking the words 
of the poet Addison : 

" Whence this pleasing hope, this fond desire, 
This longing after immortality ? 
Or, whence this secret dread and inward horror 
Of falling into naught. Why shrinks the soul 
Back on herself and startles at destruction ? 
' Tis the Divinity that stirs within us — 
* Tis heaven itself that points out an hereafter, 
And intimates Eternity to man. 
******** 

The soul, secure in her existence, smiles 
At the drawn dagger, and defies its point. 
The stars shall fade away, the sun himself 
4* 



82 MEMORIAL OF REY. 

Grow dim with age, and Nature sink in years j 
But thou shalt flourish in immortal youth, 
Unhurt amid the war of elements, 
The wreck of matter, and the crash of worlds. " 

Robertson says " We are not conscious of the 
mighty cravings of our half divine humanity ; we 
are not aware of the God within us, till some 
chasm yawns which must be filled, or till the rend- 
ing asunder of our affections forces us to become 
fearfully conscious of a need." And we can safe- 
ly add that there is nothing which can fill this 
yawning chasm, and satisfy these mighty cravings, 
like the reception of Jesus Christ as the conscious 
need of the human soul. He is the divine remedy 
furnished by Infinite Wisdom as a sufficient anti- 
dote for all the ills of human existence, in time 
and in eternity. And the lustre he imparts to 
human character in its darkest hours is as distinct 
and precious, and even more indestructible than 
that of the richest diamond compared with an 
ordinary pebble. Well might the inspired Apos- 
tle exclaim " Thanks be to God, which giveth us 
the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" — vic- 
tory which crowns eternity with ceaseless and in- 
creasing glory. 

4. The rewards of heaven include farther, the 
excellence and splendor of the eternal city as the 
glorious home of the child of God. 

History informs us that the idolatrous temple of 



THOMAS HARVEY KENASTOtf. 83 

Diana at Ephesus was so bright and dazzling that 
the doorkeeper always cried to all that entered it, 
" Take heed to your eyes." But even Diana in 
her highest glory when compared with the magnifi- 
cence and grandeur of the city of God dwindles 
into insignificance and meanness. Its walls are 
of jasper, and its gates of solid pearl. The 
streets of the city are pure gold, transparent as 
glass ; we have no such gold in this world j it is 
the gold of heaven. Its foundations are garnished 
with all manner of precious stones. There is no 
need of the sun, for the glory of God and the 
Lamb is the light thereof. There is no temple 
there, for the Lord God Almighty is the temple 
of it. The river of life, clear as crystal, proceed- 
ing out of the throne of God, waters the city. 
But why do we enumerate its beauties, for human 
language must forever fail in describing the glory 
of God and his holy habitation. And yet we 
shall not be oppressed with its brilliancy as were 
the Ephesian worshipers; for immortal vision is 
never pained or weary. As to the scenery of 
heaven— the mountains, the valleys, the rivers, the 
groves — plains dressed in beauty, and hills of de- 
light, the seas, lakes, and fountains, the arbors, the 
lawns, the flowers, and the fruits ; we may be sure 
that whatever human or angelic conception could 
grasp of beauty or loveliness is far excelled in 



84 MEMORIAL OF REV. 

in the divine fullness, variety, unity and grace of 
that celestial country. 

5. A further reward will consist in the blissful 
associations of heaven. 

When we think that all the good, the noble, the 
pure will there be our constant companions, we 
cannot wonder that the wasting, dying ones of 
earth often sigh and exclaim, 

u I long, Oh ! I long to be there." 

There is a way which God has of calling our at- 
tention to the realities of the spiritual world. And 
that is by transplanting our brighest and sweetest 
flowers to bloom in his own Elysian fields. The 
rich fragrance of a holy life will sometimes linger 
around our hearts and tempt us to turn away from 
the muddy pools of earth, and long to fill a golden 
goblet from the crystal fount of life. The attrac- 
tions of heaven are sometimes seen more clearly 
through the mists that arise from a new-made 
grave. The closing coffin lid may be to us the 
opening door of heaven. The heart rent with 
anguish will sometimes admit the beaten oil of 
peace. A sad and desolate home on earth may 
suggest to the mind that joyful home of com- 
panionship" on high. That vacant chair at our 
table may remind 113 that another seat is occupied 
in the family above. 



1H0MAS HARVEY KEN ASTON, 85 

As Brother Kenaston said in a letter of condo- 
lence to me, on the death of our little son : — ■ 

" May that Jesus whom yon preach and recom- 
mend to others in affliction, as 'The Balm of 
Gilead,' be your own Kedeemer and Comforter, 
Jesus said to Peter, 'What I do thou knowest 
not now, but thou shalt know hereafter.' 0, how 
unsearchable are some of the ways of Jesus to us 
1 now? — -but in the revelations of eternity r s morning, 
we shall see wisdom in them all. He is our best 
Friend, and will not allow one unnecessary drop to be 
added to our cup of affliction. 

" There is a new light in the window of heaven for 
you ; new little feet walking heaven's golden pave- 
ments ; a new shining one among the infant choir 
that makes heaven's arches ring, 

' We cannot tell what form is his, 

What look he weareth now ; 
Nor guess how bright a glory crowns 

His shining seraph browj 

The thoughts that fill bis sinless soul ? 

The bliss he there doth feel ; 
Are numbered with the secret things 

Which God doth not reveal. 

But this we know- -for He told ua this — 

That he is now at rest, 
Where other blessed children be 

On their Savior's loving breast. 

We know the angels fold him safe 
Beneath their glittering wings, 



M MEMORIAL OP REV. 

And soothe him with a song that breathes 
Of heaven's divinest things.'" 

I love to think of the associations of the better 
land ; for I know that whatsoever is pleasant, and 
profitable, and holy in human society on earth 
will be intensified and magnified beyond our high- 
est ideas in the society of heaven. 
" I love to think of heaven. 
The saints' eternal home, 
Where palms, and robes, and crowns ne'er fade 
And all their joys are one. 

I love to think of heaven — 

The greetings there we'll meet, 
The harps, the songs forever onrs, 

The walks — the golden streets." 



*' Yes, we'll meet, in yonder mansions, 
Where our wanderings all shall cease, 

There we'll meet our dear companions, 
And be crowned with perfect peace." 

We sometimes sing 

u Friends fondly cherished have passed on before, 
Waiting they watch me approaching the shore." 

And the poet's words are founded upon the truth 
of God, and may be sung with faith and comfort in 
our days of watching for the shadowy outline of 
the distant shore. Do you think we shall spend 
our time there in mourning over the sorrows of 
earth ? When we were children, a broken toy, or 
a slight bruise was a sad thing to us. But do we 



THOMAS HARVEY KENASTOtf> 87 

ever mention such things in comparison with the 
mature happiness of manhood ? No ! nor shall 
we think by and by that the heaviest blows of 
earth are worth treasuring up with the joys of the 
golden Gity, In fact, the sufferings of earth are 
valuable only as educators, to develope and disci- 
pline and purify ; and when their purpose is ac- 
complished they may, like the stagings to a house, 
be taken away and not left to mar the beauty of 
the finished mansion. 

But the associations of heaven will not be con- 
fined to our friends, or to humanity. There will 
be angelic and divine perfection with which our 
companionship will be intimate and satisfying; 
which will tend still deeper to bury the memory of 
our past sorrow. " For the Lord God will wipe 
away tears from off all faces," a,nd thus leave no 
traces of sadness to mix our joy. 

But one may ask if our loved ones in heaven 
remember their friends who are still on earth. 
Most certainly they do. Even the rich man in 
hell remembered his brethren on earth. And 
Abraham told him to remember his earthly privi- 
leges and comforts. And further, Abraham knew 
that his brethren had the writings of Moses and 
the prophets, all of which had transpired cen- 
turies after Abraham went to heaven; so it ap- 
pears that the Patriarch kept well-informed about 
earthly affairs. And if Abraham, why not others ? 



88 MEMORIAL OF RET. 

la fact Luke tells us that Moses and Elias talked 
with Christ at the transfiguration about his ap- 
proaching death at Jerusalem, showing their knowl- 
edge of earthly events. I have no doubt that our 
friends in heaven love us more truly and purely 
than they ever did on earth. 

Some have supposed that a knowledge of earth- 
ly woes would produce unhappiness in those who 
are in the spirit world. This cannot be true, for 
Abraham and Lazarus had a knowledge of the 
woes of hell ; the angels know the wickedness of 
men; the saints at the Judgment will know of 
the departure to their deserved punishment; but 
this knowledge cannot make them unhappy. The 
truth is, heaven is an antidote for all sorrow ; and 
starting from this fact every true theory will har- 
monize with it. Man takes with him to the hea- 
venly world all his intelligence and all his love, 
and he will never know less or love less than he did 
on earth. Every longing of the heart will there 
be satisfied. Our noblest, grandest aspirations 
will there find fullest development. Do we love 
music, beauty, art, science, culture, friendship, 
eloquence, truth, holiness, mercy ? We shall 
there find them all and infinitely more in their 
richest perfection, and may drink our fill from 
every spring of joy which God has opened. " I shall 
be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness." 

6. Another element of heavenly reward will 



THOMAS HARVEY KEN ASTON. 89 

be the opportunity and capacity for studying the 
character of God, in his goodness, wisdom, power 
and love, and all the infinite expansion of his ex- 
cellence which he shall reveal to his redeemed 
children. 

This revelation will have a transforming influ- 
ence upon the human soul. " We all, with open 
face beholding, as in a glass, the glory of the 
Lord, are changed into the same image from glory 
to glory." u It doth not yet appear what we shall 
be ; but we know that, when he shall appear, we 
shall be like him ,* for we shall see him as he is." 

The great English philanthropist, Wm. Wilber- 
force, once asked Robert Hall, " What is your idea 
of heaven ?" The eminent preacher, who had for 
twenty years been an intense sufferer, replied, 
" My chief conception of heaven, is, that it is 
a rest." " And mine," said the amiable statesman 
" is, that it is a place of love.'''' Others regard it 
as a home. May we not blend these three ideas 
and think of heaven as a lovely home of glorious 
rest. 

Well might Bro. Kenaston say, as he did in his 
letter to the Champlain Conference, in April 29th, 
1872:— 

" Brethren : — I am not afraid to die, if I under- 
stand myself. When my work is done, I ask not 
to stay longer. The grave has no gloom to me ; I 
look to it as a place of sweet, quiet rest for poor 
weary pilgrims. It never looked so good to me as 



90 MEMORIAL OP REV. 

now. My life, my home, my hopes, my heaven, are 
all beyond it." 

Truly that rest is glorious which follows faith- 
ful Christian labor. The world is full of men 
who never need to rest, because they never weary 
themselves by labor. Too many such are in the 
Church of Christ, and they seem more anxious to 
spare themselves, than to rescue perishing souls. 
He who never endured the toil of the Christian 
can hardly expect to enjoy their repose. After 
Israel had toiled and fought and conquered, it is 
written, " The Lord God of Israel hath given rest 
unto his people." And the Prophet Isaiah says, 
u This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the 
weary to rest." And the Apostle Paul says, " Let 
us labor therefore to enter into that rest" 

No soldier expects victory till after the conflict. 
The battle first, the victory last. It was after 
years of severely contested warfare; years of toil, 
sacrifice, and exposure that St. Paul wrote to Tim- 
othy, u I am now ready to be offered, and the time 
of my departure is at hand. I have fought a 
good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept 
the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a 
crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the right- 
eous Judge, shall give me at that day ; and not to 
me only, but unto all them also that love his ap- 
pearing." And he urged Timothy to imitate him, 
"Fight the good fight of faith." "Preach the 



THOMAS HARVEY KEN ASTON. 91 

word; be instant in season, out of season; re- 
prove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and 
doctrine." And writing to the Corinthians he 
mentions as worthy of record that he had been 
more abundant in labors than other ministers of 
Christ. I have been thus particular to bring out 
this point because our dear brother Kenaston had 
been abundant and unremitting in his labors for 
Christ. His active soul longed for Christian 
work, and knew no limit but that of ability to do. 
And when that ability is intensified by an enthusi- 
astic love for the employment, the amount of 
work accomplished can hardly be estimated. He 
removed from Weybridge to Lisbon, and from Lis- 
bon to Syracuse, not to secure a larger salary, or 
greater confidence and love from the people, but 
to extend his usefulness by having more people to 
labor for, and more work to perform. And dur- 
ing his sickness, his desire to live was always 
associated with a desire to labor for Christ. a I 
wish not," said he, " to live after my work is 
done." How like the words of the poet : 

" My body with my charge lay down 
And cease at once to work and live." 

He was an excellent type of a Christian minis- 
ter. His early training, his Christian experience, 
and his theological studies all conspired to deeply 
impress him with the exalted and holy character 
necessary in a minister of Jesus Christ. And he 



92 MEMORIAL OF REV. 

set himself studiously and prayerfully to acquire 
all the mental, moral, and spiritual culture de- 
manded in his important and sacred calling. He 
was zealous and earnest, but his zeal was guided 
by knowledge, and his earnestness was the off- 
shoot of intense love for Christ and perishing sin- 
ners. He made his hearers feel that he had 
Christ's spirit in his own soul and was anxious 
that they should partake of the same precious 
salvation. His brethren in the ministry will miss 
him, Oh, so much ! No one in our Conference was 
loved more sincerely, honored more highly, or 
will be missed more severely. In the Confer- 
ence business he was prompt, capable, and judi- 
cious. His pastoral charges were ever anxious to 
retain him as their teacher and guide. He was 
an excellent pastor, gathering about him the hearts 
of the aged and the youth, and leading all with 
his strong faith and tender love to the cross of 
Christ. 

He was a firm and consistent advocate of the 
distinctive reformatory principles of the Wes- 
leyan Methodist Connection. He was well ac- 
quainted with the different views upon Church 
Government, Slavery, Temperance, and Secret So- 
cieties ; and his own opinions were based not upon 
policy, popularity, or finance, but upon his deliber- 
ate conviction of the truth of God's Word. The 
desertion of friends, and the combination of ene- 



THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 93 

mies never abated his zeal, lessened his courage, 
or weakened his faith in the sacred truth and ulti- 
mate triumph of these principles. 

As a friend, he was true, valuable, and appre- 
ciated by all who understood his real worth. And 
yet he had no select few who alone shared the rich 
and generous fruits of his friendship. His warm 
and liberal heart took in circle after circle in the 
various relations and circumstances of life. 

As a son and brother, he was kind, affectionate, 
confiding; never allowing the many other things 
which occupied his mind to displace the loved and 
true of early years. How often I have heard 
him speak of his friends at home. His home 
visits were much prized by the entire family-circle j 
and the neighbors were made glad by his hearty 
presence in all their homes with a cordial hand- 
shake, and kind words of cheer for each and all. 

As a father he was tender, patient, loving, anx- 
ious to secure the highest good of those whom 
God had intrusted to his care and training. May 
we not hope that all his prayers for his dear chil- 
dren will be richly answered ? 

As a husband — I would not touch this nearest, 
holiest tie of manhood, only that I have spoken of 
other relations and would not seem to shrink from 
this. As a husband, he was all that could be de- 
sired in this holy relationship, which is mucli to 
say, as I believe there is nothing in this world 



94 MEMORIAL OF REV. 

more pure and holy than that love which, emanat- 
ing from God, fills the hearts of two persons who 
have chosen each other as life companions; and 
have vowed to share the joy and sorrow, labor and 
repose, conflict and . victory incident to a life of 
active, noble, Christian usefulness. I need not say 
that to sever such hearts is like cutting one heart 
in two and leaving it crushed, trembling, bleeding. 
But He who wounds can heal; He who created 
the human heart can answer all its throbbings. 

When you think of the painful sufferings he has 
so long endured, you will almost rejoice that he 
has passed it all now, and entered upon that glori- 
ous rest which God has prepared for his children. 
How beautiful are the words of Carl Spencer upon 

" THE VICTOR'S REST." 
" His rest shall be glorious."— Isa. xi : 10. 

w Heart, that so low doth beat, 

Striving and tiring, 
Oft in the battle's heat 

Night's cool desiring, 
Look beyond life and death, 
Hear what the Master saith, 
' To him that conquereth 

The rest shall be glorious." 

" * Stay' saith the world, * delight 

Lives in my bowers ; 
Sleep on your arms to-night 

Through the watch-hours.' 
Here is no lawful rest, 



THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 95 

Cease the ignoble quest, 
God giveth last the best j 
His rest shall be glorious. 

" l . Come/ saith the quiet grave, 

' Have done with living j 
Rest such as mortals crave 

Is of my giving.' 
Not here, O earth of woes I 
Not such the saints' repose } 
Joy like a river flows ; 

His rest shall be glorious ! 

." Not to the vanquished, Heaven 

Opens its portals ; 
Eest is the glory given, 

To crowned immortals. 
Where never foes surprise, 
Where never storms arise, 
Past all uncertainties, 

The rest shall be glorious. 

" Look not for mere release, 

Welcomed victorious I 
God giveth more than peace ; 

His rest is glorious ! 
Endless when once begun, 
Fadeless the laurels won, — 
Oh ! after God's < Well done,' 

The rest will be glorious !" 

My mourning friends, the sorrow through which 
you are passing will not be an injury to you if 
you keep your eye fixed on Christ, and remember 
that he " will never leave you nor forsake you." 



96 MEMORIAL OP REV. THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 

No one ever watched by a death-bed, as you have 
watched, without opportunties for learning impor- 
tant lessons. Treasure them carefully; wisely 
heed them. You cannot reasonably doubt that 
your loved one in his spiritual life is safe in the 
Paradise of God. His conquering faith has met 
his object. Prepare to follow him and enjoy with 
him the glorious rewards of heaven which are 
incomparably greater than all the sufferings of 
earth. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be 
with you all. Amen. 



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